May 5, 1891. 
391 
in the stalk or so-called bulb of the young wheat, and so destroys 
the infested shoot, and then turns to a chrysalis, from which the 
greyish two-winged fly comes out in a few weeks. At present 
(unless by a good stimulating dressing the side shoots and the 
plants not attacked can be pushed on so as to give some return), we 
know of no means of lessening the heavy loss that occurs where 
this bulb-maggot gains possession. 
The attacks of willow-beetle have for some years caused so much 
damage that I am now in correspondence, and also if possible 
will have personal consultation, with a leading grower as to 
measures which are reasonably practicable for clearing the pests on 
a broad scale. 
Inquiry has also been sent on the disputed question as to 
whether moles were doing good or harm. I therefore suggested 
in a case where they were in very great numbers, and running sur- 
face burrows in corn land, that a dozen should be caught, and 
examination made as to what they were feeding on. If this proved 
to be wireworms or grubs injurious to the crop, it would probably 
be best to leave the moles alone, otherwise it would be well to lessen 
their excessive numbers. 
The great attention that has been bestowed on prevention of 
orchard moth caterpillars is proving of further seiwice by drawing 
observation to various other kinds of orchard infestation, which, 
from inquiries sent me, appear to be less generally known about, 
excepting by skilled and trained growers, than could be thought 
possible. 
One point is a confusion of the little reddish bark mites, or 
acari, and their bright red eggs, with the " red spider," so well 
known as infesting leafage, especially of hops and wall-fruit trees. 
As this misunderstanding draws off attention from measures to 
check the really serious infestation'^, it is pei'haps as well to men- 
tion it. 
Another attack, less understood than it should be, regarding 
which inquiry is sent, is that of the woolly aphis, commonly known 
as " American blight." This is easily recognised (Fig. 2) by the white 
woolly patches, or even long tufts of white cotton-wool-like matter, 
noticeable where the aphides congregate, and also by the diseased 
knots on young shoots, and large, cankery, swollen and cracked 
masses on older parts of infested trees. The attack may be easily 
kept down by syringing and rubbing soft soap or some kind of soft 
soap wash (or any other of a great number of applications which will 
stifle the aphides) on to the infested trees, or into the cracked and 
infested places. Also, as far as may be, pruning off infested shoots, 
and smoothing down the large masses of cankered growth, so that 
there may be no sheltering places for attack. 
The black-currant gall mite (Fig. 3) has become a serious and 
widespread trouble in bush-fruit farming. This Phytoptus ribis is a 
microscopic mite, which causes the black-currant buds, instead of de- 
veloping properly, to swell into mere small green abortive knobs. 
On opening these lately I have found not only the minute cylindrical 
