MUSTARD BEETLES. 
65 
in amongst the crop with tin mugs to shake every stem on which a 
beetle was seen, and so catch them. This was very expensive and 
unsatisfactory. I believe the only remedy is to leave off growing the 
Mustard a year or two, and so starve it out. If the beetle will really 
take Brown Mustard as a substitute for White, it will be difficult to do 
this in a neighbourhood like ours, where large quantities of Brown 
Mustard grow spontaneously.”— Ernest Smith. 
“As at present informed, I do not think there is any preventive 
but to leave off growing Mustard for a time. Some few years 
back it used to be grown rather largely in this neighbourhood, but 
through the ravages of the beetle it could not be profitable ; but this 
last year or so it has been grown again, and the beetles have not 
damaged it to a great extent.”— Wm. Wiles Green. 
“ We have grown White Mustard for many years, but, through the 
entire destruction of the crop from the ravages of the Mustard Beetle, 
were obliged to discontinue it for some years.”— Eichard H. Sears. 
“ The idea prevailing amongst those who have suffered very much 
from the ravages of the beetle is that nothing will destroy them, 
excepting it is the combined action of farmers not to grow any kind of 
food suitable for them.”— Alfred Fuller. 
4.—What manures have been found serviceable ? Is gas-lime used ? 
Superphosphate of lime and artificial manures advised. Gas- 
lime not found to keep off attack. 
“ I have used Proctor and Eyland’s special Mustard manure very 
successfully, the object being to promote healthy and rapid growth out 
of the way of insects. Artificial manures are necessary to secure a 
crop on old broken-up land. I was shown a crop the other day on part 
of which none was used, owing to a heavy dressing of farmyard 
manure having been applied. This was not half the value of the rest 
of the field.”— Samuel Egan. 
“ Besides'superphosphate any rich manure is useful. I have not 
found gas-lime to be of much use.”— Wm. Abbott. 
“ Superphosphate of lime and dissolved bones have been found 
most serviceable. I have tried nitrate of soda without any good 
results. I am now applying gas-lime, but have not hitherto tried its 
effects.” With regard to method of application it was noted :— 
“ The gas-lime was too adhesive to distribute evenly, so it was 
carefully mixed with sufficient fine dry ashes to make it powdery; it 
was then sown early in the morning, in the hope that it would adhere 
to the leaves, as it would appear to me to be of very little value if 
thrown upon the ground.” (Further on Mr. Fuller mentioned) :— 
“I have been waiting to see how the Mustard Beetle developed 
before writing you again. This evening I have been to the field upon 
