64 
MANGOLD. 
Cultram, Cumberland, which I wish particularly to draw attention to, 
as, in addition to valuable notes on cultivation, it gives reliable in¬ 
formation as to the appearance of the Mangold maggot as a crop-pest, 
having been noticed in Cumberland several years before the date at 
which it was generally observed. Mr. Hornsby writes :— 
“ Acting on the permission kindly given in last week’s ‘ Agri¬ 
cultural Gazette,’ I venture, as a Mangold grower of some experience, 
to trouble you with a few remarks on the above. 
“ I observe in your notes that you speak of 1880 as being the year, 
‘ so far as you are aware,’ when the Anthomyia Beta was first observed 
as a crop injurer. It would appear, however, that the insect has 
proved itself a pest to Mangold growers in Cumberland several years 
previous to the one you name. In 1876 the Mangolds on the farm I 
then occupied were much injured by it, but this was the first year that 
I had noticed the maggots in the leaves, although for some years 
previous to that the leaves of the young Mangold plants had presented, 
at certain stages of then growth, that shrivelled-up appearance which 
is a sure sign of the attack of the maggot; and I have no doubt now 
that it was so, though at that time the injury was ascribed to other 
causes, frosts, &c. The attacks, however, were not very severe or general 
until 1876 , since which the Mangolds have suffered heavily every 
summer ; so much so, indeed, that in many districts they have been 
dropped out of cultivation in a great measure, only a few patches 
being grown in situations peculiarly adapted to their growth. The 
attacks usually take place during the first two or three weeks in June, 
and again about the beginning of August; the second attack, however, 
does not do much injury generally; indeed, if the Mangolds are 
flourishing and inclined to get much leaf, I have sometimes thought 
the second attack did them good by ridding the plants of some of their 
leaves and letting in the air and sun to the roots,—at all events, I 
have known the roots thrive very rapidly afterwards. The first attack, 
however, is often nearly fatal to the crop. 
“ I have noticed a somewhat curious fact in connection with the 
attack of Mangold Fly, and that is, that on the east side of a north 
and south fence the Mangolds for a considerable distance are nearly 
clear of attack, although in the middle and east side of the field the 
maggot may be very numerous, and the higher the fence the more 
shelter it seems to afford from the attack. I cannot say that I can 
altogether account for this, but probably you may be able to throw 
some light on the question. 
“With reference to prevention and remedial measures, I should 
recommend good cultivation, autumn if possible, a free use of fertilisers, 
and I consider a liberal application of salt or potash, salt, or both, to the 
land intended for Marigolds as a sine qua non in Mangold growing. 
