20 
CORN AND GRASS. 
autumn, specimens of the chrysalids sent in showed that the autumn 
flight of the Daddy Longlegs Flies was soon coming to set up attack 
for 1885. 
As usual some of the ivorst attack was on crops after broken-up Grass or 
Glover; it was also reported from the peaty soil of the Lincolnshire 
Carrs, and from low-lying land near a river, about three feet above the 
water-level. The grubs were found in injurious numbers in rotting 
turf, also sheltered beneath turfs and under clods, which gives a hint 
where to search for them in hand-picking, besides directly amongst 
the crop. 
Amongst direct remedies noted hand-picking was found serviceable, 
likewise hoeing, which was noticed to cut through many of the grubs ; 
but rolling did not answer with any certainty. Amongst the appli¬ 
cations to help the crop over attack, nitrate of soda appears to have 
answered much the best , and the careful experiments of Mr. Ralph Lowe 
show that this chemical has an immediately injurious effect on the 
grub, besides having the good fertilising effect on the crop, which we 
are aware of. The wow-effect of other chemicals, and the amount of 
weight bearable by the grub, shown by Mr. Lowe’s experiment, are 
also serviceable practically. 
One of the earliest notes of the season was sent from Westleigh, 
near Bideford, Devon, on the 8tli of February, by Mr. Edward Berry 
Torr, as follows :—• 
“ I am sending you, by this post, a few grubs collected from 
a seven-acre field, which they have attacked and destroyed twice. 
The field was in wheat in 1880, and seeded down with grass ; it was 
fed with sheep and horses in 1881, and the same in 1882; and ploughed 
‘ley’ for wheat on October 9tli and 10th, 1888. It was then well 
harrowed, and sowed with wheat on November 14th. The seed came 
up nicely, it having been pickled with Down’s ‘Farmer’s Friend ’ and 
tar to prevent the birds attacking it. It had not been long above 
ground before it was noticed as looking sickly, and in a short time it 
ceased to exist. We then searched, and found these grubs underneath 
the remaining blades of wheat. Thinking they might not attack a 
second sowing we harrowed over the field on January 3rd, and left it 
for a few days for the Rooks to eat up these grubs. They went to the 
field, but soon left it; and on January 7tli and 9tli the field was resown 
with wheat of another sort, but pickled, as before described. I went 
to the field on the 28tli, and could see but few blades of wheat above 
the surface, and I made but a slight inspection, but found a few 
grubs. 
“ On the 4th inst. (February) I again inspected the field, and 
then found plenty of the enclosed grubs, and also a few grains of 
wheat partially eaten by them. To-day I have sent my foreman, who, 
