IV 
PREFACE. 
before (which does not appear to have been the case on the scale 
of regular field attack) has not been recorded. Another somewhat 
similarly injurious attack to Strawberry plants from yet another 
kind of Eelworm is being watched; and these observations will 
be serviceable, by tracing what may have passed as a so-called 
“ blight ” to a definite cause, and probably definite cure. 
Some of our common insect attacks were reported as severe 
locally ; amongst these were Rust maggots to Carrots, also pre¬ 
sence of Mustard Beetle and Mangold leaf maggot ; . Willow 
Beetle was seriously injurious. Orchard Moth Caterpillars, 
where remedial measures were not applied, also caused much loss. 
The Mediterranean Flour Moth (Ephestia kuhniella) has 
been steadily making good its hold in Wheat mills and stores 
in various parts of the country, and those who are suffering from 
it well know the serious loss as well as inconvenience caused by 
its all-pervading tenancy. 
Some attacks were much less reported; amongst these were 
less enquiry regarding Turnip grub ; and Turnip Green Fly also 
was only moderately reported. “Frit Fly” (Oscinis frit), an 
unusual trouble, of which the maggots did great damage in the 
bulbs of young Oats, especially in Devon and Cornwall in 1888; 
and Corn Sawfly (Gephus pygmceus), which is a very customary 
trouble, were hardly mentioned. 
In the case of those of our ordinary crop attacks of which the 
history is now before us all, and preventive measures also up to 
date fairly well known (for which knowledge, it should be noticed, 
we are indebted in great part to the observations of our own 
agriculturists and fruit growers), I have thought it best not to 
continue to record merely notes of application for information 
where unaccompanied by any new observation of serviceable 
interest. Where any fresh information has been contributed, 
either of history, as in the case of observation of the winter state 
of Chlorops maggot, by Dr. W. Fream ; or of a thoroughly 
practicable manurial treatment, as that to restore Mangold 
growth after leaf-maggot attack, with which I was favoured from 
Rothamsted, by kind permission of Sir John B. Lawes; or of 
notable absence or presence, or any point which may usefully be 
added to the well-known histories, I endeavour to record it. 
Otherwise, to avoid yearly repetition I am trying to bring forward 
observations of attacks not hitherto worked out, but which are of 
practical importance, and (of course) any which have not previ¬ 
ously been noticed as present here. 
Amongst these new or little noticed infestations, mentioned 
in my present Report, are the attacks of the American Clover- 
seed Midge, Mites in Hay, and distorted growth of Tares, and 
heads of Tares from one or more kinds of insect presence. Also, 
attacks of Chermes to Apple, and of the caterpillars of the Dot 
