74 
TURNIP. 
workmen said that he remembered these pests in other years, and he 
had known farmers tie Willow branches on the scufflers to sweep the 
leaves. At this date some of the caterpillars were turning to chrysa¬ 
lids, and on the 21st of the month the Moths were appearing. At 
this date (from favourable weather for growth) some of the damage 
was being repaired, but it is noted that “ here and there patches were 
entirely destroyed in spite of the nitrate of soda.” It is also noted, 
“ I think sweeping the leaves with Willow branches has done some 
good.” 
The information in the above short notes which Mr. Stourton 
favoured me with is very useful, as showing the amount or the effect 
of attack may be much lessened by a hearty growth of the plant, 
whether from favourable weather or from the use of fertilisers which 
would act at once, such as nitrate of soda. Also that the mechanical 
measure of brushing with boughs, which is useful for getting rid of 
the “ Niggers,” is available here. 
The Diamond-back caterpillars let themselves down by a thread 
when alarmed ; consequently, by the passage of the scuffler after the 
boughs, many must get destroyed on the ground. 
About the beginning of August I received the two following notes 
through the ‘ Mark Lane Express,’ which, by the courtesy of the 
Editor, I am permitted to use, describing outbreaks of what appeared 
to be the same kind of attack near Harwich, and also near King’s 
Lynn:— 
Mr. Stanford mentions from Great Oakley, Harwich:—“I enclose 
Kohl Rabi and Swede plants, which you will perceive are very much 
eaten by a small green caterpillar, some scores of the insects being on 
the plants in the box. The fields of Turnips in this district are 
almost destroyed, several pieces having been ploughed up in con¬ 
sequence of the damage done by this insect. Can you kindly inform 
me what the name of the caterpillar is, as I never remember seeing it 
until this year ? I myself have sixteen acres of Swedes eaten like the 
plant enclosed.” 
The note given by Mr. F. J. Cooke on August 10th from Hitcham 
Abbey, King’s Lynn, likewise mentions the serious nature of the 
attack, and it being of a kind not generally known. He says :—“ I 
send you by this post some Swede-Turnip leaves, which you will find 
are perforated by a little caterpillar, two or three of which you will 
find still on the leaves. Two others have spun themselves a cocoon, 
in which they are awaiting the next stage of their existence. These 
pests are, of course, quite distinct from the brown grub or caterpillar 
that attacks the Turnip root, but they promise to ruin much of the 
later Turnip crops in this district, and are new to me and all of my 
neighbours to whom I have spoken. They and I will be interested if 
