November  5,  1903.  JOUBNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
425 
pedes  are  often,  known  as  “false  wireworms,”  but  they  can  easily 
be  told  from  the  true  wireworm  (Leaflet.  10)  by  the  great  number 
of  legs. 
Description  and  Life  History. 
The  female  millipede  (Julus  terrestris)  deposits  her  eggs  from 
May  to  July  in  a  nest  made  of  pieces  of  earth  fastened  together 
with  saliva ;  this  nest  is  round  in  form',  and  has  a  small  hole  at 
the  top  through  which  the  eggs  are  dropped.  The  eggs  vary 
in  number  from  sixty  to.  100.  The  hole  is  then  sto^^ed  up, 
and  the  eggs  mature  in  from  ten  tO'  fourteen  days.  The  young 
millipedes  have  only  three  pairs  of  leigs,  the  others  appear  in 
groups  by  degrees.  Growth  in  a  millipede  takes  place'  by 
lengthening  at  the  posterior  end,  the  growth  evidently  taking 
place  between  the  penultimate  and  last  segments.  Mi.ss 
Ormerod  states  that  millipede's  lay  their  eggs  from  December 
to  May,  but  as  this  does  not  agree  with  Sinclair’s  statements, 
the  observations  were  probably  made  on  different  species. 
Tile  most  injurious  millipedes  belong  to  the  families  Julidse 
and  Polydesmi(j8e.  The  latter  (Fig.  2)  are  the  fiaUened  snake 
millipedes,  the  injurious  species  being  shown  in  figure  2.  The 
most  troublesome  millipede  is  Julus  pulchellus  (Fig.  1).  This  is 
nearly  half  an  inch  long,  slender,  about  the  thickness  of  a  fair¬ 
sized  pin,  pale  yellowish-pink  in  colour,  with  a  double  row  of 
pui-ple  sjiots  on  it.  Julus  terrestris.  another  common  species,  is 
black  and  has  a  pointed  tail.  These  Julidse  feed  upon  all 
mannc'r  of  roots.  The  smaller  Julus  pulchellus  also'  eats  into 
Potatoes  and  Lilies,  often  hollowing  them  out  completely ;  the 
larger  species,  according  to  so.me  observers,  also  feed  upon  snails, 
slugs,  and  some  insects.  The  common  species  of  flattened  milli¬ 
pedes,  Polydesmus  complauatus  (Fig.  2),  is  of  a  pale  purplish- 
white  to  dull  rosy  tint,  and  is  nearly  an  inch  long,  with  the 
sides)  notched. 
Centipedes,  or  Chilopoda,  are  beneficial,  the  food  being  com¬ 
posed  of  snails,  slugs,  and  ground  insects.  Three  of  the  com¬ 
monest  genera  are  Lithobius,  Geophilus  (Fig.  3^  and  Scolo- 
pendra.  The  eggs  of  Lithobius  are  laid  from  June  to.  August; 
they  are  about  the  size  of  a  number  five  shot,  spherical  in  form, 
and  co'vered  with  a  sticky  slime.  The  female,  after  laying  an 
egg,  rolls  it  about  in  the  earth  until  it  is  all  covered  with  soil 
and  resembles  a  grain  of  earth.  A  small  number  only  are  laid 
by  each  female;  and  the  males  frequently  devour  the  eggs 
before  the  female  coats  them  with  earth.  In  the  other  genera 
the  number  probably  varies  to  some  extent.  Geophilus  is  said 
to  lay  its  eggs  in  an  earthen  cell ;  Scolopendra  tO'  bring  forth 
living  young. 
Methods  of  Prevention  and  Remedies  against  MUiipedes. 
Tliese  pests  are  frequently  di.stributed  with  leaf  mould,  which 
should,  therefore,  be  examined  before  being  used,  and  if  found 
to  contain  them  should  be  mixed  with  lime.  Their  numbers  in 
the  field  may  also  be  lessened  by  broad-casting  lime  over  the 
surface  and  working  it  into  the  soil.  Soot  and  water,  in  the 
proportion  of  a  handful  of  soot  to  half  a  gallon  of  water,  is  found 
to  drive  them  away  from  the  roots  of  garden  plants  for  a  time. 
They  may  also  be  trapped  in  numbers  by  placing  pieces  of 
Mangolds  scooped  out  just  under  the  ground  near  the  plants 
they  are  attacking;  they  sw’arm  over  the  baits  and  may  then 
be  collected  and  destroyed. 
Another  certain  way  of  killing  them  on  small  areas  is  by 
injecting  bisulphide  of  carbon  into  the  soil.  They  may  also  be 
trapped  by  soaking  decaying  Cabbage  leaves  or  deca5'ing  roots 
in  Paris  green  and  placing  them  about  in  gardens;  the  millipedes 
feed  upon  them  and  thus  get  poisoned. 
Tlie  Board  of  Agriculture  and  Fisheries  would  be  glad  if  re¬ 
cipients  of  this  leaflet  w’ould  make  it  known  to  others  interested 
in  the  subject.  Copies  may  be  obtained  free  of  charge  and  post 
free  on  application  to  the  Secretary,  Board  of  Agriculture  and 
Fisheries,  4,  Whitehall  Place,  London.  8.W.  Letters  of  appli¬ 
cation  so  addressed  need  not  be  stamped. 
- - - 
Societies. 
R.H.S.  Scientific  Committee,  Oct.  27tli. 
Present :  Dr.  M.  T.  Masters,  F.R.S.  (in  the  chair) ;  Messrs.  Odell, 
Saunders,  Massee,  Baker,  and  Worsdell ;  Drs.  Rendle  and  Cooke  ; 
Revs.  W.  Wilks  and  G.  Henslow,  Hon.  See. 
Crassida  Aitoni. — -Mr.  Odell  showed  specimens  of  this  Karroo 
plant  of  S.  Africa  remarkable  for  bearing  leaf  buds  in  lieu  of  flowers, 
each  consisting  of  two  pairs  of  minute  leaves. 
Begonia  bisexual. — Mr.  Worsdell  shoAved  malformed  flowers  Avith 
abortive  OA-aries,  bearing  a  tuft  of  stamens  issuing  from  the  base  of 
the  style. 
Spinach  failing. — Mrs.  Killick  sent  plants  Avhieh  Avere  soAvn  in 
August,  and  for  three  years  consecutively  at  first  came  up  Avell,  but 
subsequently  turned  yelloAV.  Spring  soAvn  Spinach  never  failed.  It 
Avas  suggested  that  if  any  grubs  Avere  present  lime  and  soot  should  be 
used  before  soAving.  Other  groAvers  had  experienced  the  same  thing. 
A  deficiency  cf  •‘midday  sunlight  appeared  to  afieet  Spinach,  as  a 
Avhole  bed  Avas  a  total  failure  in  an  enclosed  place  Avhere  the  sun  only 
shone  upon  it  late  in  the  day.  Such  causes  did  not  apply. 
Jasmine  root  hypertrophied. —  Dr.  Masters  shoAved  a  specimen  of 
root  forming  a  large  fungoid  mass,  but  no  trace  of  insect  or  fungus 
Avas  present.  Mr.  Massee  observed  that  ants  Avill  produce  a  very 
similar  result  on  various  plants. 
Parsley  leaf  miner. — Mr.  Wilks  shoAved  leaA'es  infested  by  some 
grub,  upon  which  Mr.  Saunders  reports  as  folloAvs ;  “  The  Parsley 
leaves  are  attacked  by  the  grubs  of  a  fly,  probably  by  those  of  the 
‘  Celery  fly  ’  (Tephritis  onopordinis),  Avhich  they  very  much  resemble  ; 
but  the  grubs  of  flies  belonging  to  the  same  genus  are  often  so  much 
alike  that  it  is  impossible  to  distinguish  betAveen  them.  I  have  not 
heard  of  these  grubs  attacking  Parsley  before,  but  as  both  Celery  and 
Parsnips  are  injured  by  them  it  is  quite  likely  that  Parsley  may  also 
be  attacked,  all  these  being  umbellifers.  The  chrysalides  are  no  doubt 
formed  in  the  soil.  If  a  crop  has  been  badly  injured  by  these  grubs  it 
should  be  pulled  up  and  the  ground  Avell  dressed  Avith  gas  lime.” 
Injurious  insects. — Miss  Cope,  F.R.H.S.,  inquired  for  information 
hoAv  to  destroy  certain  insects.  Mr.  Saunders’  report  is  adjoined : 
“  The  so-called  insect  sent  by  Miss  Cope  is  one  of  the  ‘  Centipedes  ’ 
(Geophilus  longicornis).  I  cannot  say  positively  Avhether  it  is  injurious 
to  plants  or  not,  my  OAvn  vieAvs  being  that  it  is  not,  as  it  belongs  to  a 
carnivorous  family,  and  is  provided  Avith  a  large  pair  of  poison  fangs, 
Avhieh  Avould  not  be  of  any  use  to  a  creature  fed  on  vegetable 
substances.  When  found  at  the  roots  of  plants,  as  they  often  are,  I 
believe,  they  have  gone  there  to  feed  on  insects  Avhich  have  been 
attacking  the  roots  ;  but  they  have  been  so  often  accused  of  injuring 
plants,  and  have  been  found  under  very  suspicious  circumstances,  that 
I  do  not  feel  justified  in  giving  a  definite  verdict.  It  is  possible  that 
Avhen  their  ordinary  food  becomes  scarce,  they  may  take  to  a 
vegetarian  diet.  The  ordinary  quick  running  centipede  is  undoubtedly 
of  much  service  in  gardens  in  killing  small  insects,  slugs,  &c.  The 
green  insect  spoken  of  is  probably  one  of  the  Cercopidre,  the  family  to 
Avhieh  the  common  froghopper  belongs  ;  but  without  seeing  a  specimen 
it  is  impossible  to  say  positively.  The  best  means  of  destroying  this 
pest,  if  I  am  right,  is  to  shake  the  plants  over  a  sheet  of  pasteboard 
or  tin  Avhich  has  been  newly  painted  or  tarred,  so  as  to  catch  the 
insects  Avhen  they  jump  off  the  plants.” 
Croydon  Chrysanthemum,  November  3rd  and  4th. 
The  show’  held  in  the  Public  Hall,  Croydon,  on  Tuesday  and 
Wednesday  of  this  w’eek,  though  small,  Avas  of  high  merit. 
Though  Chrysanthemums  were  the  chief  subjects,  they  Avere  not 
the  only  products  on  view,  for  excellent  Grapes  and  Apples, 
together  with  culinary  vegetables,  were  represented. 
At  the  time  of  our  visit  on  Tuesday,  the  Mayor-elect  opened 
the  exhibition  in  the  presence  of  the  Society’s  officials  and  some 
of  its  patrons.  He  thought  it  Avas  a  mistake  to  hold  Chrysan¬ 
themum  shoAvs  earlier — that  seemed  to  be  a  tendency ;  hut  he 
w’ould  prefer  to  hold  them  back  till  as  late  as  possible,  seeing  Ave 
had  Dahlias  and  Michaelmas  Daisies  to  feast  the  eyes  Avith,  till 
the  present  time.  The  judges  had  given  a  very  favourable  report 
of  the  present  exhibition,  and  of  the  management  of  it.  The 
chief  part  of  the  Avork  falls  upon  Mr.  W.  B.  Beckett,  Avho  for 
fifteen  years  has  been  honorary  secretary.  This  is  a  long  and 
notable  record,  but  Mr.  Beckett  nei’er  complains  of  overAvork — 
rather  is  he  proud  of  it,  and  keen  for  the  progress  of  the  Society. 
We  do  not  profess  to  have  noticed  every  class,  but  the  leading 
classes  are  suitably  reported.  To  Avrite  of  everything  at  an 
exhibition  Avithout  discrimination  is  not  in  the  interests  of  either 
exhibitors,  societies,  or  floriculture. 
Class  1  AA’as  for  eighteen  Japanese  blooms  and  eighteen  in¬ 
curved,  and  here  Mr.  G.  J.  Hunt,  gardener  to  Pantia  Ralli,  Esq., 
Ashtead  Park,  Epsom,  was  first  for  the  third  time,  thus  winning 
the  Challenge  Cup  outright.  His  blooms  Avere  Avonderfully  fine, 
and  the  set  included  both  the  premier  Jap  and  incurved,  viz., 
Miss  Stopford  (Sins  or  more  in  depth,  and  vmry  handsome)  and 
C.  H.  Curtis,  at  its  best.  Of  the  Japs  Ave  w'ould  also  specially 
name  F.  S.  Vallis  (an  enormous  floAver),  Godfrey’s  Pride,  Edith 
Smith,  Madame  P.  Radaelli,  George  LaAvrence,  Miss  Olive  Miller, 
and  Bessie  Godfrey.  The  best  finished  incurveds  Avere  Globe 
d’Or,  Duchess  of  Fife,  Mrs.  C.  Crooks,  Lady  Isobel,  and  Hanwel) 
Glory.  Mr.  O.  J.  Salter,  from  Reigate,  AA’as  a  good  second,  but 
his  fioAA'ers  appeared  to  be  not  so  heavy  or  so  strong.  Neverther 
less,  he  staged  splendid  samples  of  Bessie  Godfrey  (a  gem), 
General  Hutton,  W.  R.  Church,  W.  A.  Etherington,  and  F.  S. 
Vallis.  His  incurveds  were  very  pure  in  colour  and  fairly  even 
and  .smooth,  C.  H.  Curtis,  Annie  Hills,  HaiiAvell  Gilory.  and 
Empress  being  very  pleasing.  Third  of  three  competitors  came 
Mr.  F.  Bible,  gardener  to  H.R.H.  Prince  Hatzfeldt,  Draycot 
Park,  Chippenham,  Avho  Avas  very  strong,  and  the  cla.ss  must  have 
demanded  keen  scrutiny.  His  Bessie  Godfrey  was  charming, 
and  .so  Avere  Mrs.  Vallis,  Madame  P.  Radaelli,  Sensation,  and 
Captain  Percy  Scott.  The  incurveds  Avere  clear  and  of  good  size. 
The  names  might  have  been  Avritten  on  stouter  cards  and  been 
brought  forAvard  a  little. 
Mr.  W.  Collins,  of  Engadine,  had  the  only  exhibit  in  class  2, 
for  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums.  For  a  semi-circular  group  of 
foliage  and  flowering  plants  (class  19),  Mr.  C.  Perrett  Avas  first, 
and  Mr.  H.  Dyer  second.  For  six  plants  of  Gloire  de  Lorraine, 
