330 Annual Report for 1908 of the Zoologist. 
observations on this point would be of interest. In an 
attack of the common crane-fly, Tipola oleracea , there are, of 
course, early and belated individuals, but the great bulk of the 
flies emerge within the space of a few days, though the precise 
date will vary with the season. About the second week in 
September is perhaps the most usual time, and it seems likely 
that vigorous action against the pest at that time would have 
a considerable effect. The grubs come up to pupate, and the 
chrysalids stick up half out of the ground. An observer 
described them as standing up “ like matches ” in multitudes 
on the affected greens, and this, it is stated, is only to be 
observed during two or three days. Constant rolling or even 
brushing at such times would seem bound to- kill great 
numbers. It might be also possible at such a period so to 
dress the land as not only to kill the weakly flies as they 
emerge but to deter survivors from laying eggs. At all events, 
where the attack is constantly recurrent it is clear that all 
energies should be concentrated on dealing with the pest 
during these few days. 
In the particular case of lawns or putting greens it would 
seem likely that a machine which was long ago devised for use 
against the cockchafer grub in Germany might be used with 
great advantage. Unfortunately I can give no particulars as to 
where it is to be obtained. The accompanying figure of it 
(see page 329), which appeared in my Annual Report for 1894, 
is taken from the well-known work by Judeich and Nitsche, 
who state that its cost is about'fifteen shillings. Its object is 
to pierce the soil with a number of needles, and its mechanism 
can be easily understood from the woodcut. It would prob- 
ably be most effective in August, when the grubs are almost 
full grown. 
Forest Tree Pests. 
Beech . — Complaints have been received from many quarters 
of the felted scale, Cryptococcus fagi , one of the most familiar 
and most troublesome of tree pests. The felted white matter 
found chiefly on the main trunk and larger branches of infested 
trees is too well known to require re-description. In the 
summer, the scale insects of all ages may be found among the 
felt, and some larvfe may be found at almost any time of the 
year, but the great majority seem to hatch out in May. 
Fortunately the insect succumbs pretty readily to various 
washes, and paraffin emulsions, especially if applied in May, 
are immediately beneficial. Mr Gillanders adds flowers of 
sulphur and turpentine to the ordinary paraffin emulsion. 
In July I received specimens of beech twigs from young 
trees in a nursery suffering from an attack which is quite new 
