8 
E. A. ORMEROD—PREVENTION OF IN SECT-INJURY. 
and that is by every means , whether by preparation of the ground, 
draining, manuring, proper thinning of the crops, pruning of the 
trees, or in whatever way we can manage it, to promote healthy 
growth. The crop that is run healthily through germination, and 
makes way rapidly in a kindly soil, is by no means certainly pre¬ 
served in case of bad attacks, hut in case of the moderate amount 
usually to he expected, the field of plants making (say) their two 
inches of growth per diem to counterbalance a loss of (say) one 
inch by insect-ravage, will hold on whilst the field of stunted 
growth that does not replace damage is lost; and whatever may 
happen in the occasional visitations of destroying legions, or with 
some pests whose attacks are especially difficult to meet, it may 
safely be laid down that whether in farm or garden, one most 
serviceable means of prevention of attack is good cultivation. 
We must moreover all feel that prevention of loss which involves 
yearly what cannot be estimated at less than hundreds of thousands 
of pounds worth of the daily food of the nation, is a matter of vital 
importance both to growers and consumers. 
