172 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 19, 1886 . 
Some of the best crops of Beans we have seen this season 
were sown by means of a plough drill, an excellent plan in a 
wet autumn, especially on heavy land farms, all trampling of 
the soil after the ploughing being avoided till spring. 
From our own observation we think the culture of Oats is 
taking the place of Wheat to a considerable extent in this 
country, nor can this be wondered at if it be remembered that 
really good Oats generally command a ready sale at 20s. per 
quarter, and that it is possible to have crops yielding from 
10 to 12 quarters an acre with straw 6 feet high. To achieve 
such results we must have the soil clean and well stored, 
and those three indispensables—nitrogen, potash, and phos¬ 
phorus—applied specially for the Oat crop. Yet how seldom 
do we find any manure used for an Oat crop ! If any 
of our readers are disposed to question our statement of pos¬ 
sible results (and we know full well there are such), we would 
say, “ Have you tried to grow Oats in the best way ?” In 
purchasing seed Oats last season, a corn factor said it was a 
shame to use the best selected samples for seed when the 
small tail corn would certainly grow as freely. “ Aye,” said 
we, “ no doubt it will grow, but have you ever thought about 
the difference in strength of the growth from large and small 
seed ?” To take all possible pains in the preparation of the 
seed bed, yet to pay no attention to the quality of the seed, is 
indeed to spend our strength for nought. While advising a 
more extensive culture of Oats, we would confine it within 
reasonable limits, and not rush into extremes in this or in any 
other branch of farm practice. Repeatedly have we called 
attention to the advantages attending the culture of winter 
Oats, and under certain conditions a good white spring Oat 
and Black Tartarian may be grown profitably. A field of 
“ Black Tartars,” as they are called in Suffolk, which will 
be ready for harvest before this article is printed, was sown 
late in spring after Swedes, upon which ewes and lambs had 
been folded, and the crop is a fairly good one. Other crops 
of this Oat sown earlier are much better, but we mention the 
late crop to show one of the uses of Oats. Some years ago we 
had a field of Peas attacked so badly by rooks soon after the 
seed germination had taken place, we lost the Pea crop, but 
we managed to have a very good crop of Oats instead of it. 
(To be continued.) 
WORK ON THE HOME FARM. 
Harvest work has begun in unsettled weather, but we have been able 
to thresh the winter Oats upon three of our farms, and to get the chaffing 
of the straw done. This enables us to avoid the purchase of Oats for the 
horses employed at harvest work, the tail corn being used first for home 
purposes. Next week we may be able to give the weight and price of 
this corn, for we intend selling most of it, and we shall have the option of 
using the money either for the purchase of sheep or for harvest labour. 
We mention this matter, because we regard it as a sign of good manage¬ 
ment when a farm is not only self-supporting, but when there is some 
farm produce to sell every week or two throughout the year. A large 
balance at the bank is a good thing no doubt, but we prefer having most of 
our farming capital at work upon the land, if only it yields a fair profit. 
We have begun cutting winter Beans; spring Oats are also in hand, and 
some pieces of forward Barley have been mowed. It is unusual for 
Barley to be ready for harvest simultaneously with Wheat, as some of it 
is this year, but the season is a peculiar one, and there is much difference 
in the condition of corn crops. Root crops thrive apace, and lale sown 
white Turnips grow with marvellous rapid ty, so that the work of hoeing 
and thinning the plants has pressed heavily upon us. Wo are glad, 
however, to have this work nicely in hand before the full pressure of corn 
harvest is upon us. When the thinning is once over a frequent use of 
horse hoes keeps down most of the weed”. A few acres of late roots 
prove very useful in spring for folding the breeding flock upon. The 
lambs run forward and eat off the green top3 and much of the roots too, 
for forward lambs consume a large quantity of food in March, and we 
shall do well now to see that all possible provision is made for them then 
by sowiDg green crops for use with or after the roots. Land required for 
Rye will be got ready for sowing as it is cleared of the summer crops, for 
it is important to sow Rye early in September for early spring grazing. 
Poor land is unsuitable for such a crop. To induce a free early growth in 
spring, as well as a strong plant in autumn, the soil must be well stored 
with fertility. Not unfrequently are we told that any odd piece of land 
answers for such a crop. Certainly we cannot agree, for it is all-important 
that the Rye should be both strong and forward in growth before we begin 
spring folding upon it. We have shown how the application of a hundred¬ 
weight per acre of nitrate of soda in February promotes growth, but we 
must not forget the importance of such growth from the germination 
of the seed. 
THE HESSIAN FLY ON WHEAT. 
Mr. Charles Whitehead, Banning House, Maidstone, writes to the 
papers as follows :—It seems that the Hessian fly, a fearlul scourge to corn- 
crops, has at last taken up its abode in England. It was feared that it 
had come to this country in 1800, but it was settled decisively by autho¬ 
rities that it was not the Hessian fly that was causing harm to the corn 
plants, but another insect of a different genus. Its appearance, here 
recently was in this wise : Miss Ormerod, the consulting entomologist of 
the Royal Agricultural Society, received information lately that Wheat 
and Barley crops near Hertford were attacked by a new insect, which had 
taken up its position in the second joints of the stems of the plants above 
the roots, and had caused a disorder like “rootfall” or “gout” in the 
stems. Upon examination it was seen that the pup® of an insect closely 
resembling in colour and shape somewhat small and elongated Flax 
seeds, or linseed, were present under the leaves or blades imme¬ 
diately covering the stems of the plants. It was ascertained from 
the farmer by Miss Ormerod that these pup® had recently changed 
from larv®, which were translucent or transparent maggots with 
greenish stripes under their skins, and had evidently been the actual 
causes of the harm to the crops. This harm was apparent in the scrawled 
state of the straw and its general fallen condition, as well as in the light¬ 
ness and deficiency of the grain. After much consideration and consulta¬ 
tion of authorities and microscopical investigation, it was decided that 
these pup® were those of the Hessian fly, Cecidomyia destructor, say, 
and that consequently this insect, which has wrought so much injury to- 
corn crops in Germany and in the United States and Canada for more 
than a century, has now visited this country. 
In these circumstances I earnestly ask all corn farmers to take all pos¬ 
sible means to stamp out this fresh foe at once. To effect this it is most 
desirable that all who have Wheat or Barley crops showing any signs of 
root-falling should immediately examine the plants, and particularly their 
leaves or blades near the second joints from the ground. If they find small 
pup® chestnut-coloured, like small Flax seeds, about one-tenth of an inch 
in length, they should cut the infected plants above the second joint, either 
by setting the reaping machines high or by reaping them by hand high, 
in the old-fashioned style so dear to partridge shooters. This will prevent 
the possibility of the pup® being carried into barns and stacks with the 
straw, and will ensure that they are h ft in the stubble. Directly after 
harvest the stubble should be burnt, or it should be ploughed deeply in so 
that the pup® might have no chance of changing into flies, either in the 
autumn or ensuing spring, to spread, the attack among the growing 
crops. 
As it seems most probable that this insect was first brought to the 
infested fields in straw with manure from London, which straw had been 
imported from America or Germany in packing cases or ciates, it is most 
essential that all manure from the cowsheds and stables of London and 
other cities and towns should be mixed at once in order that the heat of 
fermentation might kill the pup® upon it. It need scarcely be said that 
corn grown upon fields where this insect has been found should on no 
aecount be reserved for seed corn. I should state that yesterday I was 
informed that this Hessian fly had been discovered in corn crops in Essex, 
so I fear that unless infinite precautions are taken we shall have it per¬ 
manently established here, as in the countries named above. The Royal 
Agricultural Society issued a note of warning last week concerning this, 
together with suggested methods of prevention. Their entomologist, 
Miss Ormerod, Dunster Lodge, Isleworth, will be pleased to give full 
information upon the subject, and I will at once give any assistance in my 
power to those who may apply to me. 
Excelsior Corn and Manure Drill. —The Chadbom and Cold- 
well patent excelsior corn, seed, and manure drill, recently described and 
illustrated in our columns, was awarded the first and highest prizes 
(special silver medals) at the following Shows:—Cirencester, July 27th, 
28th, 29th, and Birkenhead, July 28th, 29th, 30th. 
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Camden Squaws, London. 
Lat. 61° 32' 40" N.; Long. 0° 8' 0" W.; Altitude, 111 feet. 
DATE. 
9 A.M. 
IN THE DAY. 
P 
A 
# 
1886. 
August. 
Barome¬ 
ter at 32« 
and Sea 
Level 
Hygrome¬ 
ter. 
Direction 
of Wind. 
| Temp, of 
Soil at 
1 foot. 
Shade Tem¬ 
perature. 
Radiation 
Temperature. 
Dry. 
Wet. 
Max. 
Min. 
In 
sun. 
On 
grass 
Inches. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
d«flr 
deg. 
deg 
In 
Sunday . 
30.050 
68.3 
62.0 
s.w. 
62.3 
76.8 
62.3 
120.6 
56.G 
0037 
Monday. 
9 
30.034 
G3.3 
59.8 
s.w. 
62.6 
71.7 
60.4 
103.6 
58.8 
0.142 
Tuesday. 
29.685 
61.0 
60.4 
N. 
62.5 
648 
60.5 
84.7 
57.9 
0.013- 
Wednesday . 
11 
29.930 
59.2 
51.3 
var’ble. 
61.2 
69.1 
50.6 
120.8 
46.2 
— 
Thursday ... 
12 
29.995 
60.1 
55.3 
S.W. 
60.4 
68.8 
47.6 
110.3 
41.8 
0.102 
Friday. 
29.576 
64.0 
60.0 
S. 
59 8 
70 7 
56.2 
119.2 
54.8 
0.021* 
Saturday ... 
14 
29.801 
60.2 
57.7 
N.E. 
60.2 
69.2 
53.3 
110.4 
47.2 
— 
29.867 
62.3 
58.1 
61.3 
70.1 
55.8 
109.9 
51.9 
0-323- 
REMARKS. 
8th.—Fine and warm early, overcast later, rain at night. 
9th.—Dull, with Blight showers in morning, fine atternoon and evening. 
10th.—Wet early, dull drizzly morning, fair afternoon with a little sunshine, 
llth.—Fine bright pleasant day, occasional spots of rain in evening. 
12th.— Fine, hut with litt’e bright sunshine, rain at night. 
18th.—Dull early, showers in morning and occasional sprinkle! of rain in evening. 
14th.—Overcast morning, fine afternoon and evening. 
An unsettled and cool but not unpleasant week; temperature about the same as that 
of the preceding week, and one degree above the average.—G. J. Symons. 
