Haltica nemorum. This is only one of the several popular names by which the turnip fly is known. The gardener is not so liable to suffer as is the farmer, from its ravages, yet he is sufficiently open to them to render a knowledge of its habits desirable. Mr. Curtis says: -

"The eggs of the common striped turnip fly are laid on the under side of the rough leaf of the turnip from April to September; they hatch in two days. Their maggots live between the two skins or cuticles of the rough leaf, and arrive at maturity in sixteen days. The chrysalis is buried just beneath the surface of the earth, where it remains about a fortnight. The beetles live through the winter in a torpid state, and revive in the spring, when they destroy the first two leaves, called the cotyledonous or seed leaves of the young turnip. There are five or s:x broods in a season. These insects are most to be feared in fine seasons.

"Heavy rains, cold springs, and long droughts, destroy them. Their scent is very perfect: the beetles fly against the wind, and are attracted from a distance. The rapid growth of the plant is the best security against them: to secure which, sow plenty of seed all of the same age. Burning the surface of the land is beneficial, by destroying t'he chrysalids. Sheep folding must destroy the insect in every state. Deep digging is an excellent practice, when the chry-salids are in the soil. Drilling is a far superior practice to sowing the. seed broadcast. Long raw manure harbours the beetles. The benefit derived from the application of lime and soot is very doubtful. Mangold wurzel is not favourable to the beetles, and Swedes are probably less attractive than white turnips. Mixing while turnips with Swedes is not desirable, as the beetles may be attracted by the strong scent of the former. Early sowing is attended with disadvantages. Destroy charlock, it affords support to the beetles before the turnips come up".

The most effectual banishrent of the turnip fly, I think, is secured by sowing the surface of the soil with gas lime' (hydro-sulphuret of lime) the next morn-ing but one alter the turnip seed has been sown. This is so offensive to the insect as to drive it away just at the time the young plants are appearing , above ground. The most certain pro cess is, alter all,to sow very thickly; the flies will have their share - if too many remain, thin out.