THE HESSIAN FLY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 4012, 14 January 1892, Page 2

THE HESSIAN FLY.

Its appoaraaoe in Mauterton HTbeat Crops-- I APrigbtfulPest.' :; ; Sir James Hooter's Analysis. The farmers in the Masterton district have been miioh concerned of late by the appearance of a grub in the wheat crops which lias bad a most destruotivo offeot. At Makori, Lower Manaia and Upper Plain, its ravages have been the more keenly felt, some fields at die former place being completely destroyed. A specimen of the grub was sent by us some weeks ago to Sir James Hector, who afforded some relief to farmers by assuring them that be could see no traces of the dreaded Hessian fly At his request, howevor, wo sent a second Bample on Monday last, with the request that we should be informed immediately the result of the analysis. To our surprise and rogret we received yesterday afternoon the following telegram from Wellington : Grub you now send with wheat is larva condition of Hessian fly (ckkkmjia ■<?«. Imdor), It is the same pest which appeared war Mirtonin January, 1888, and was successfully suppressed, 'ft is. muohto bo regretted that it has re-appeared, asitisa frightful pest, I have referred the matter to the Minister of Agriculture.—J. Hkciod. We are not aware what step's were taken at Marton to eradicate the pest, but farmers in this district should lose no time in proouring all information on the subject, and take prompt steps to eradicate what is undoubtedly a most unwelcome visitor to the district. We are assured on good authority that the pest is spread, ing very fast, and unless immediately checked it will be most disastrous to our farmers and the district as a whole.