A Natural Enemy.

Manawatu Herald, 15 February 1894, Page 2

A Natural Enemy.

A supply of puparia of the natural enemy of the Hessian fly baa just arrived to the order of the Depart* ment of Agriculture. It came out in the cool chamber of the Gdfchio, and will be placed in the breeding cages this afternoon, says Monday's Pott. As the tiny flys emerge they will be forwarded to the distriota where the Hessian fly has attacked the crops. It is well known to scientists that a small fly has for many years helped to keep the Hessian in cheek in the Maiton district, and the farmers of the Wairaiapa will be glad to hear that a number of " flax seeds," as the puparia of the Hessian fly are called, which were collected recently at Masfcerton by Mr T. W. Kirk, of the Department of Agriculture, on account of some peculiarity he. observed, and which he thought indicated the presence of the parasite, have, as expected, yielded not Hessian fly but its natural enemy, so that, with the help of the reoent arrivals from Home, some impression should in a "year or two be made on the dreaded pest. We are, however, afraid, judging from the experience of England and other countries, that it will be a great mistake foM farmers to rely solely on the natural enemy. They should, where prao- " ticable, take the steps advocated in the leaflet issued by the Government last season, namely, burn the straw, stubble, and screenings, deep ploughing, and the growing of oats or roota for a season or two instead of wheat. The Government is, howe\er, de-

terrained to do all in its power to aid farmers and fruitgrowers by the introduction ot natural enemies of injurious insects, but colonists should not trust solely to these ; they should 2^ help their insect allies by using the most approved mechanical mean 3 of thinning the ranks of the pests.