46 
NOTES OF OBSERVATIONS 
any one species on its wild food-plant, and also on the crop which it 
may infest. Thus we have the species (Aphis rumicis) infesting the 
Beans also noted on its wild food-plants, Docks and Thistles. The 
Hop Aphis also frequents the Blackthorn and the Plum, and, whilst the 
absence of the Aphis is noted from the Turnips, there is a correspond¬ 
ing absence of entry of other plants on which, as far as I am aware, 
this Aphis more especially feeds. Mr. Malcolm Dunn notes that the 
Larch Aphis prevailed extensively in almost all parts of the country 
where the tree is grown. 
Syringing with soap-suds is the remedy which appears best known 
amongst those noted, and is mentioned as being very serviceable. 
The observers unite in pressing the importance of the preservation 
of Birds. The Rook has been seen doing good service in clearing off 
the Crane-flies; the Lapwing also needs a word to save it, for our 
benefit, from indiscriminate slaughter ; the Starling is a good helper; 
also the Cuckoo, from its liking for, and capacity for swallowing, the 
larger larvae ; and, though with regard to the Titmice I am bound to 
note the comment of an observer with regard to the Blue Tit, “ that 
a more destructive little rip does not exist,” yet the family in general, 
and I am inclined to think this member also, would be greatly missed 
if not allowed play on the Aphides. 
Looking at the results of this year’s observations, it will be seen 
that they point to the importance of such treatment of the soil as may 
press on a hearty, healthy growth, and to counteracting direct insect 
attack by special methods of cultivation, based on knowledge of the 
insect habits, rather than on applications to the insect itself. Thus 
with Carrot Fly, with which the method of attack is for the Fly to bore 
down through any cranny and lay its eggs on or close to the root, it 
will be seen that the advice not to thin when the Carrots are of a size 
that would open the earth round them in removal,—to avoid a dry time 
for thinning, and, after thinning to water well with water, or any fluid 
that is deterrent to the insect,—meets the above point. The watering 
puts the earth together again, and fills up the crannies, and so excludes 
attack. 
With the Caterpillars of the Gooseberry Sawfly, which pass the 
winter in the surface soil beneath infested bushes, ready to change to 
chrysalids in the spring, and come up again as perfect insects with the 
return of warmth, the most successful method of prevention is to clear 
off the surface soil with the Caterpillars in it, or so fork, lime, 
and otherwise treat the few uppermost inches of earth as to destroy 
the contained pests. 
In the case of the Tipula larvae, the grubs of the Daddy Longlegs, 
it will be noticed that the application of guano was successful by afford¬ 
ing a temporarily strong supply of food to the plants which were 
