449 



But iicitlior the ennilsion uor the pure kerosene cnii lie pr<>fitiil)ly jipplied 

 on a large scale to destroy wireworms." 



The results with crude petroknrn, xmre or in emulsion, were not as 

 promising as those Avith kerosene emulsion. Sweetened dough jwisoned 

 with arsenic, which was used with some success to destroy the click 

 beetles, did not prove attractive to the wireworms. Bisul})hide of car- 

 bon at the rate of about 150 gallons per acre destroyed the larva\ "Its 

 use will be practicable and profitable only on limited areas where choice 

 l)lants are attacked." 



Experiments with fertilizers (i)p. 226-244). — The experiments with salt 

 indicated that to destroy the wireworms it must be used at the rate of 

 about 8 tons per acre, an amount very destructive to vegetation, and 

 when applied at the rate of 1,000 pounds per acre (a heavy dressing) it 

 "neither drives the wireworms deeper into the soil nor causes them to 

 migrate any ai)preciable distance." Kainit used in experiments during 

 7 months seemed to have "but little if any effect on Avireworms in 

 the soil even when applied in very large quantities, as from 4 to 9 tons 

 per acre." 



It should be noted that these results are diametrically opposed to those obtained 

 by Prof. J. B. Smith of tlie New Jersey Station. In Insect Life, vol. 4, Nos. 1 and 2. p. 

 45, Professor Smith says • "I have followed out my ijiquiries into the action of certain 

 fertilizers as insecticides, and am more than ever convinced tliat in kainit we have a 

 powerful ageut for the destruction of worms infesting sod land. Where tliis mateiial 

 is used before planting corn even on old sod, cutworms and wireworms will do no 

 injury. In addition 1 always advise fall plowing to give the winter a chance. Direct 

 experiments in the laboratory show that Elater larvte will die in soil that contains 

 kainit, though it acts slowly and 2 Aveeks are required to produce a complete result." 



Muriate of potash " had to be used at the rate of from 4 to (i tons per 

 acre to have any effect on the larva, and then it was not as effective as 

 the cheaper kainit or the much cheajjer common salt." 



" Lime applied at the rate of even 200 bushels per acre, either slaked, 

 unslaked, or as limewater, had no effect u])on the wireworms." Clilo- 

 ride of lime was effective only when used at the rate of nearly (i tons 

 per acre. 



Gas lime "applied fresh and at the rate of from 20 to 40 tons per 

 acre was partially effective against wireworms." 



Destruction of pupm and adults {cUch beetles), (pp. 244-250). — The 

 experience of the author leads him to agree with those who recommend 

 fall plowing as an effective means of checking the increase of wireAvorms. 

 A short rotation of crops is recommended " to farmers having land 

 badly infested with wircAvorms." The author thus explains the benertcial 

 results which folloAV fall plowing: In the case of the more common 

 species of AvireAvorms the insect assumes its adult form in August, but 

 " remains in the ground in the cell in which it has undergone its trans- 

 formation till the following April or May." This quiescent period seems 

 to be necessary to the life of the insect. 

 15155— Is"o. 7 2 



