LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1611, 30 November 1912, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE GRASS GRUB. Sir,-In to-day's Press telegrams I observe that the Agricultural Department solicits, information from farmers ana others "as to iho exact dates on wlucil tho beetles are observed on tho wing in different districts," so that its life-history should bo known." Tho full life-history or cyclo of existence of tho beetlo whoso grub causas widespread destruction in pastoral country and the loss of hundreds of thousands of . pounds annually, has long been known to entomologists ana observant farmers in tho Dominion. Die problem, therefore, is how to devise or discover a method to check its ravages, and, possibly, lead on to its ultimate suppression. After several years of close study of, and experiments with, the pest in all phases and stages of its life-history, I. unhesitatingly admit its suppression to be the most complex and difficult problem that economic entomologists have to solvo in tho Dominion. If the present Government has resolved to make some determined effort to suppress) this annually-recurring and costly bugbear of the farmer and pastoraust, it merits the fullest practical assistanco from the whole farming community of this country. The difficulties will, ■ I fear, prove to be many and' costly, as the following notes on the life-history of this cockchafer beetle will show: — The dates of appearance of the winged insects in small or great swarms annually in November and December are wholly regulated by seasonal and local weather conditions prevailing during the four stages of the beetle's existence. A few speoimens may generally be eollectcd weeks before the vast swarms appear. The latter, invariably appear on calm, sultry nights, and fly in flights of myriads or clouds over the country, dropping as they fly into cereal, fodder, and root-crops alike, to pair in immense _ numbers. Lakes, rivers, and large fires lit for the purpose of attracting them, also receive their quota of the pests during their headlong flight. To enable us to study accurately. aud fully the earlier stages of the insects' economy we' captured a- number in the insect-net and placed them in a box 2 feet square and 18 inches deep. The bottom of the box was covered with a few inches of friable soil, and compactly laid with fresh turf. Some of the insects paired on the same evening, while others were noted pairing for eight days after being put into the box. The latter was kept in a shady place and covered with a sheet of glass. The first eggs were found on the ninth day. They were- attached to ■ the base of. the small blades of grass and close to the soil. From ten eggs removed from the grass and placed in a small moist bottle, only three hatched—one on the ninth and two on tho eleventh day. From the time of emergence from the egg until it attains maturity, eleven months or (i little more or less afterwards, the grub grows slowly.' It is then what is termed full fed, and changes into the chrysalis or third stage of its.existenoe. But not only do the farmers and pastoralists suffer froin-tlio great ravages of 1 these chizaphagus or root-feeding grubs. The beetles are equally destructive by attacking and consuming the foliage and flowers of many species of garden plants and fruit trees. The rose and the sweet pea are favourite pabulum of the beetles. They havo been described as being slow or sluggish in their habits. Let no one for a moment suppose such to be_ true. Belonging to the burrowing section of beetles they lie concealed in the soil during the day. In the evening they sally forth and run rapidly over the plants to their feeding places. In some gardens in the 1 Now Plymouth district they are, at present, attacking sweet peas severely. . Until somo effective method of checking and destroying the grass grub beetle, wo should endeavour, hv every means, to protect and encourage the increase of the natural enemies. For many years the English starling and the miriah, or Indian starling, have done inestimable service to farmers and pastoralists in destroying the pest alike in the grub, chrysalis, and winged; stages; These, voracious birds,; to-gether'-with ! all' species of sea-birds knoivn< to visit farms to feed on the grubs during the ploughing and harrowing of the fields, should be fully protected. The grass grub problem, were there no other, unquestionably emphasises the imperative need for appointing a State entomologist who could (bapple scientifically with this rapidly-increasing and other destructive pesta now over-running this flourishing and beautiful country. It seems to me almost incredible that Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, ond Queensland have each such an officer, while New Zealand, the most prosperous State, of all, should be without one.—l am, etc.. W. W. SMITH. .. New Plymouth, November 28, 1012.' TREE PLANTING; Sir,—l read with interest your correspondent's letteiNon tree planting by the Government, and agree with'him that in planting trees for timber purposes the first consideration should be to plant the most suitable variety in every case, whether it be oak, ash, gum, or pine. May I also be allowed to suggest that in their tree-planting operations the Government should experiment with some other trees which havo a commercial valne, apart from their timber value. For instance, in our Botanical Gardens we have a specimen of "Cinnamomum camphora," the "camphor tree," and there is every reason to believe> that this tree would thrive in some parts of New Zealand; In which case,, if jJanted in quantities, it would in time find congenial and profitable employment for prison labour. There are also several varieties of eucalyptus which, if properly selected antl planted in suitable localities, would be commercially . valuable both for medicinal and timber purposes. Some of the pines which produce a marketable pitch and .other products might also be tried to advantage. Of course, no doubt these matters have not been altogether overlooked, but it is just possible that they may not have been looked into.—l am, etc., JOHN CASTLE. November 25, 1,12. , SPOILS TO THE VICTORS, Sir,—lf proof were needed as to the sincerity of the professions of the Reform Party with regard to the Liberal doctrine of "spoils to the victors," an excellent one may be found in your announcement of the appointment' of Mr. C. H. Weston as Crown solicitor at New Plymouth, in succession to his late father. The newly-appointed C.S. has been a consistent supporter of the Seddon-Ward administrations, a shining light (chairman, if I mistake not) of the somewhat nebulous Liberal and Labour Federation, and his name was one of the two or three from whom the party's candidate was chosen in November last. At 110 period of his career has he been identified with the present regime, nor is he suspected of sympathy with it now, and except that he was ill partnership with his late father, and assisted him in the Crown work, Mr. Weston had not the slightest claim upon the consideration of the Massoy Government. Can one imagine ths late Mr. Seddon or our only genuine NewZealand Baronet making such ail appointment? Mr., Herdman is to bo congratulated on having done tho right thing, contrary though it is to precedent.—! am, etc., PROUD OF OUR GOVERNMENT. Now Plymouth, November 25, 1912 . RE EASTBOURNE FERRY SERVICE. . Sir,—Considering tho efficient manner in which the present council'handle the affairs of tho borough, such as tho planting of trees along the beach, the lighting of the streets, the drainage 9f storm-water, the prevention ofs sand-drifting, and excellent handling of the night service, also tho prompt replies ono receives to letters directed to them, either through their mayor or town clerk, one cannot help feeling assured that this same body will most undoubtedly manage tho new service with great success. Fancy this body, with such weighty and ponderous affairs to consider, took no more than four months to reply to my letter to them. Truly a marvellous achievement. — I am, ctc., ; BEACH ROAD, BONA BAY. TRADE WITH HULL. Sir,—Being an old resident of Hull, permit mo to heartily endorse tho information anil advice given by Mr. Austen Wilson, now in Wellington, in reference to shipping from New Zealand to that port. As 0110 of the earliest interested in frozen meat and other exports from Now Zealand, I would point out to those now in tho trado, that the saving in shipping

through Hull over London is 9g. lOd. per ton the first 28 days' store, and Bs. lOd. per ton monthly thereafter. There is an ample demand at full rates for all meat and produce likely to be sent from New Zealand. Similar equally favourable rates hold good for nearly all other linos of merchandise, outwards as well as homewards,—l am, etc., C. W. ANDERSON. "Wellington, November 28. -