1 Frn,, 1900.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 145 
(Adicnemus grallarius), the Plover (Lobivanellus lobabus), but also the smaller 
a ly Cate ers proper, not excepting even the diminutive Blue and Red-backed 
Wrens” (Mlalurus spp.). There are, however, some birds that accomplish 
‘Yen greater work than these, and reduce the numbers of the caterpillars to a 
Yety appreciable extent when they occur in the myriads that are sometimes 
€Neountered. ‘The Straw-necked and White Ibises are especially alluded to in 
1S connection. ‘These not only feed over the grass lands in flocks of thousands, 
Ub visit the cultivated lands, should the crops be not too high, in immense 
Numbers also. And when the caterpillars have gone into the soil to pupate, 
they will even search for them with success with their long beaks, probing the 
“arth in all directions. 
D. Disease. 
h The consideration of the subject of disease in caterpillars—caused by either 
eke or by fungus germs, and its possible propagation by artificial means—is 
Ostponec : 
REMEDIES. 
1 
- The effectual exhibition of remedial measures implies a prompt recognition 
a the presence of the caterpillars. As a rule they may be long present-in a 
poate crop and yet escape observation, simply because their injuries are not 
ih “ently pronounced to betray their occurrence. It is, therefore, expedient 
at the farmer inspect from time to time his growing crop, especially early in 
oust and February, and pull up here and there some of the ranker growing 
eumps ox stools, and shake these well with a view to discovering the immature 
;erpillars—pale miniatures of the pest as ordinarily perceived. This remark 
¥ Prompted by the experience, that usually it is not until the caterpillar is full- 
| Wn and has almost completed, not only the first phase of its existence, but 
Rea rue injury that itis capable of inflicting, that measures of repression 
Uught out. 
whole’ foreover, as it often happens (though the reverse may occur) that the 
dle area of a plot in crop is not simultaneously attacked, but different parts 
re “Visited successively, it will be found generally practicable to isolate the 
ae infested portions, if narrow roads be left intersecting the area under 
them tos to contain ditches or furrows that may be ploughed or dug along 
3. 
mat . Although generally it is expedient to sow early and raise a quickly 
or wig crop in view of the probability that rust may assert its presence, it is 
*pedient, having regard to the probable occurrence of caterpillars, to so 
suficee the time for sowing that the plants constituting the crop will not be 
deat tly advanced at the time that the moths are about to afford a suitable 
it atton or their eges. And in deciding the probability of ‘such an occurrence 
ah i hecessary to note two things :—Ist. The extent to which the caterpillars 
Vietiy, 1 Stlises constituting the immediately previous infestation have been 
nsed by parasites; and 2nd, the degree of prevalence of the parent moths. 
Visa tmer may be generally inferred by the comparative numbers in which moths 
uni the lights in the house after nightfall ; and the latter by submitting 
be njured chrysalises, in earth, to the Department for examination. It must 
Dani » however, that, though June is probably the best month to sow on the 
gen te Downs some cereals (eg., oats), still, owing to the dryness that 
erally prevails then, germination may not take place. Lee 
“ When caterpillars are early perceived in the young growth it will be 
Vem sbedient to feed it off with sheep or cattle. The trampling of stock is 
cat] Mal to pests of this description, and the act of feeding on the part of 
© also destroys them, even where they are not killed by exposure and by 
mal deprivation of sustenance. 
ling * Similar result may be accomplished by passing a heavy roller over the 
# > AS. i . 
Wala” aving soft bodies, they are quite readily injured; but this procedure, 
*o the preceding, can only be successfully resorted to when the growth is 
