42 
CORN. 
late, and the crop ripened very unequally with very varying sample.” 
—(R. Y. T.). This unevenness in ripening was specially reported 
from other localities. 
Looking at the point of bad Frit Fly attack being unknown before 
in this country, and that in Sweden and Bohemia respectively the 
maggots of the summer brood have been found feeding in ears of 
Barley, and amongst the grains in the Oat-heads, it appeared possible 
that the infestation might have been brought in foreign corn ; but 
replies to enquiries did not bear this out. Information was given me 
that there was large importation of Swedish Oats into Bristol, from 
whence they are widely distributed ; and a small quantity of Swedish 
Oats were sown near Bodmin in one instance, and conjecturally more, 
but there was no evidence given as to imported seed having been used 
where infestation occurred. The correspondents who favoured me with 
replies on the subject had used seed either home-grown or imported 
from Ireland. 
Nevertheless, though as yet we have not had the summer attack in 
the Barley or Oat-ears reported in England, it might be worth con¬ 
sideration whether “pickling” seed before sowing would not be 
desirable, so as to guard against possibility of carrying eggs or 
chrysalids, which might furnish flies to renew attack, in it to the field. 
One means of probably lessening amount of loss is suggested by a 
remark in some of the foregoing observations. It is mentioned that, 
after the maggots turned to chrysalis-state, attacked plants (which 
had not been destroyed past all hope) threw out shoots, so that a crop 
was obtained, although, from inequality of ripening, it was very far 
from what was desirable. From this it would seem that, if a dressing 
of whatever nature was suitable to the kind of land, and also to Oat- 
crop generally, was given early in the attack, this would push on the 
uninjured shoot in time to give a fairly equal crop. 
From the reports it appears that, if the growth had been brought 
about earlier, the damage would not have in some cases been great, 
and consequently that, if a stimulating dressing could be applied when 
the damage is first beginning to show, time enough in growth would be 
saved to have an even crop. When the damage is noticeable, the 
maggots that cause it have grown to such a size that it shows that the 
time of laying the eggs from which they were hatched has long been 
over, and that what shoots are not then infested will be safe. The 
nature of the dressing will be best judged of by agriculturists them¬ 
selves ; but in a series of experiments on Oats (noted further on under 
the head of “ Tulip-root”), it has been found now for some years that 
sulphate of potash, or a mixture of sulphate of potash with sulphate of 
ammonia and phosphates, answer exceedingly well in bringing on a 
healthy crop. 
