The Sun. — 1864-08-31 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY ABUNDANCE OF WASPS.—These insects have multiplied to a most unusual extent this summer, owing, no doubt, to their being a good " plant" in the first place, which has been fostered by the exceedingly favourable weather. Not only are the banks thick with nests (says the Chelmsford Chronicle), but large colonies frequently infest ground cracks in the cornfields, causing great annoyance to the reapers. Farmers have been obliged to adopt systematic means of extirpating the pests by the liberal use of combustibles and boiling water, but even these stringent measures are not always successful where the nests are built in the ground, while the danger of retaliation is much increased. The scarcity of plgme and wallfruit has caused a serious attack on pears and apples, which have been attacked long before being ripe, and the intruders have in some cases actually held the rightful owners at bay, while even indoors there had been a " fight" with the insects for the quiet possession of dinner. The present cooler weather, however, will more effectually than any other means tend to keep the enemy in check. " A Beemaster" (Dr Cumming) writing to the Times, says—" Let me beg all that value their lives to examine well every apple, pear, and peach they eat, for those venemous insects, was ps, may be seen this year ensconced under the skin, and if admitted within the mouth they will sting the throat, and, as in several recent cases, the sufferers will die. Do not conclude lam uncharitable. It is no charity to connive at theft and murder. I am satisfied that killing wasps is no murder. Had Peter the Hermit or Walter the Penniless lived in my garden, and witnessed these wicked vagabonds trying every hive, worrying my bees, and stealing my honey, they would have preached a crusade against wasps. In one respect they are unfortunate; they have no queen, no subordination, or reverence for law and order. They are genuine Red Republicans—Marats and Raespierrea, and richly deserve the worst they get.'  Railway and Other Companies,  SEVENOAKS, MAIDSTONE, AND TUNBRIDGE, Yesterday the half-yearly meeting of this company was held at the Victoria Station, U, F. llolreyd in the chair.  The report was taken ae read. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said that he thought the general prospects of the line were very satisfactory, as, although this was the worst half of the year, embracing only two of the summer months when the traffic was the greatest, the increase in the receipts had been very considerable, and since the accounts had been madeup the traffic had increased in still greater proportion. Therefore there was every reason to expect that their next report would be still more satisfactory. (Hear.) He was happy to state that an arrangement had been made with the London, Chatham, and Dover Company for the construction of a line between Maidstone and Sevenoaks, which would bring a large amount of traffic over the line, without having to pay anything for it, and at the same time the arrangements of this company with the London, Chatham, and Dover would stand as they were at present. He had to regret the retirement of their noble chairman. When Earl Amherst originally took the chair he stated that he did so temporarily, until the line was completed, as he did not wish to be the permanent chairman of the company. At the solicitation of the directors from time to time he had been induced to retain that office, but now he felt that the time had arrived when he should resign. That must be a matter of regret to them all. In conclusion, the chairman moved the adoption of the report and etatement of accounts. Mr C. J. HILTON seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, and a vote of thanks to the chairman and directors concluded the proceedings.  the line had been opened for passenger traffic. They had now opened up inland railway communication to one of the finest ports on the south coast, and he had no doubt that in the courso of a few years it would become an important harbour. It was, he thought, possible that Dartmouth might be made a steatnpacket station, as the port had been inspected and reported favourably to Government. (Hear.)  The motion for the adoption of the report was seconded by Mr BELFIELD, and unanimously carried. A vote of thanks to the directors concluded the proceedings.