THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 95 



Another report states that the insect begins work in the latter part of 

 June by eating into the tender vines where they start from the old crown 

 or bed root ; and unless prevented, will eat the vine entirely off, thus 

 destroying the crop ; " many times they poison the root so that the whole 

 hill dies." Old yards die from this cause more than any other, as the 

 borer prevails more in old than in newer ones. 



Another grower states that the damage commences about the last of 

 May or first of June, when '• the head of the vine will appear slightly bent 

 or curved, if compared with sound ones. The grub, after feeding a little 

 time in the heart of the head, drops to the ground and makes its way into 

 the heart of the vine below the surface of the ground, working deeper as 

 it grows larger. The vine wilts and finally dies." 



There is great diversity of opinion among growers as to the best means 

 of ridding a yard of these pests. A few take for granted that there is no 

 remedy, leaving the skunks to carry on the warfare alone ; and right here 

 it may be stated that growers east and west speak most favorably of the 

 friendly offices of this much despised animal, in the hop yard. Salt is 

 mentioned by many growers as a remedy. It is put on after the vine has 

 become somewhat toughened, from middle to last of June, salt on the 

 tender new stalks killing them in a short time. Lime, ashes, sulphur, &c., 

 are also recommended, but doubtless do little real good. Some growers 

 emulate the skunks by digging out the grubs, often doing more damage 

 than the pests themselves. 



Mr. Pierpont says an experienced tyer of hops can tell at a glance the 

 head containing a worm, which is crushed in an instant, but this process 

 can only be practiced for a few days, as the worms leave the head soon 

 after hatching. Next to the crushing process a useful remedy is to hill the 

 hops as soon as possible and give the yard thorough cultivation. The 

 hilling causes fibrous roots to put out above the operations of the grub 

 and save to some extent the crop. 



The most detailed statement of experience, and it seems to me the 

 best remedial agency or means of prevention, is furnished by Mr. J. F. 

 Clark, a grower of Otsego county, New York, who writes as follows : 



When the vines are well up the poles, and at the first hoeing about the 

 last of May or first of June, the dirt should be carefully worked away from 

 the vine by the hoe ; all the dirt remaining between the vines must be 

 carefully worked out with a sharpened stick, so that all the vines will be 

 left bare as low down as wherevthey leave the bed root ; thus they become 



