34G 
Bepovt of the Council, 
information of methods of life, and means of prevention of crop- 
insects and their ravages, has steadily increased. Amongst special 
crop attacks, the reports sent in as winter advanced regarding the 
ultimate results of the presence of diamond-back moth caterpillars 
on turnips, showed that much less harm had been done than was 
at one time anticipated. Amongst spring attacks. Miss Ormerod 
reports — what is somewhat remarkable — that up to the last fortnight 
she had scarcely received a single application regarding insect infesta- 
tion in young wheat plants ; but during the last few days notes have 
come in of bad attack of Daddy Longlegs grubs on young corn plants, 
and of presence of other attacks. The question of risk to the coming 
crop from sowing field-beans injured by the bean-seed beetle has been 
brought forward, and Miss Ormerod has suggested the desirableness 
of refusing to take broad-beans for seed where they are much per- 
forated, or infested, or that, if only moderately attacked, the seed 
should be so dressed as to destroy the insects within. At pi’esent, 
attack of the Sitones, the very small weevils which devour pea and 
clover leafage, is unusually severe in various localities. Attack on 
fruit bushes, as cui'rant, raspberry and gooseberry, is beginning to 
require attention, and from one locality specimens have been received 
of apple twigs coated over for inches in length with aphis eggs. 
There have been more colonial applications than usual during the 
past few months. 
28. The Text Book, “ Elements of Agriculture,” to which refer- 
ence was made in the last Report, was published on January 1, 1892, 
and the rapidity with which the first two editions were sold out has 
aflfoi’ded gratifying evidence of the value of the book as supplying a 
manifest need. The third edition is now in course of sale, and pre- 
parations are being made for the issue of a fourth and revised edition 
when called for. 
29. Twenty-eight candidates entered and 20 actually competed 
In the Society’s Senior Examinations, held from the 10th to the 
14th of this month. The answers of the candidates are noAV under 
the consideration of the Examiners, and the results (see page 353) will 
be announced at the meeting of the Council to be held in J une. 
By Order of the Council, 
Ernest Clarke, 
Secretary, 
