WiREWORMS. 77 



Onr results from two years of experimentation show that some- 

 times larva3 will attack seed corn even when it is completely 

 coated with tar. In actual practice, but few of the kernels wonld 

 get a complete coat; it requires considerable disagreeable labor to 

 apply the coating ; germination is considerably retarded, even 

 when the kernel has been previously soaked in water ; and com 

 thus treated cannot be readily used in a planter. From these 

 considerations it can be seen that this method of protection does 

 not afford that degree of certainty and practicability which is desired. 



3. Protection of Seed by Soaking it in a Solution of Salt. 



This method was quite commonly practiced many years ago 

 among farmers in western New York. Our series of experi- 

 ments, extending over a period of nearly a year, made it evident 

 that corn soaked in a saturated salt solution is as readily eaten 

 by wireworms as if not thus soaked, and no injuiy results to the 

 wireworms. 



4. Protection of Seed by Soaking it in a Copperas Solution. 



In 1876 an Illinois farmer reported favorable results from soak- 

 ing his seed corn before planting in a solution of copperas (sul- 

 phate of iron), to protect it from the attacks of wireworms. 



After two seasons of experimentation with the solution, we got 

 no results which indicated that wireworms w^ould not eat and 

 destroy seed soaked in it as readily as any other, and receive no 

 injury therefrom. 



5. Protection of Seed by Soaking it in a Chloride of Lime 



AND Copperas Solution. 



Our experiments during two seasons gave conclusive evidence 

 that a solution of chloride of lime and copperas will not protect 

 seed corn which has been soaked in it from the attacks of wire- 

 worms. 



6. Protection of Seed by Soaking it in Kerosene Oil. 



In our experiments with this substance made in the spring of 

 1891 the wireworms destroyed nearly every kernel of corn we 

 planted ; there were no indications that this food disagreed with 

 them. 



