THE INSKC'l' li'ORIJ). 293 



regions where cut-worms are known to be troublesome it is a 

 good plan to fall-plough sod-land as early in the season as conven 

 lent. This will avoid egg-laying by the late moths, and cater- 

 pillars that have already hatched will be compelled to make their 

 way to points where food is more plentiful, leaving the ploughed 

 field free. It is a good plan also to put on at this time all the 

 potash that is to be used on the crop in the form of kainit. 

 The insects do not like this material on account ot the chloride 

 it contains, and many of them will be killed, while most of the 

 others will be driven off The potash is not lost, but will be 

 as effective as if applied the season following. The field can be 

 treated in spring as needed by the special crop, and will then be 

 practically free from cut worms. If this method is not feasible 

 for any reason, the cut- worms can be trapped by spreading on 

 the surface of the ground, after it has been prepared, little heaps 

 of poisoned vegetation, — for instance, clover ; but any succulent 

 plant will answer the purpose as well. The best way is to thor- 

 oughly spray a patch of clover or other vegetation with one of 

 the arsenites, one pound to fifty gallons of water, then mow it 

 close to the ground, and spread in little heaps all over the field. 

 The cut-worms, finding nothing else to feed upon, will eat this 

 poisonous bait, and long before the corn or potatoes come up the 

 field will be entirely cleared. On plants like sweet potatoes, 

 cabbages, or tomatoes, that are set out, protection can be secured 

 by putting at the base of each plant a tablespoonful of poisoned 

 bran, using bran at the rate of fifty pounds to one pound of 

 Paris green. This should be thoroughly mixed dry, then water, 

 just a little sweetened with sugar, should be added until the 

 whole is thoroughly wet but not sloppy. This mixture is ex- 

 ceedingly attractive to cut-worms, being preferred to plants in 

 all the instances that have come under my notice. It will take 

 about ten pounds to an acre of potatoes as ordinarily planted, 

 and perfect protection can thus be secured. For one or two 

 nights, perhaps, a few plants may be cut, but after that, except 

 in rare instances, no further trace of the insects will be no- 

 ticed. As against the climbing cut-worms a band of gas- tar 

 or coal-tar will in most cases afford protection, especially if 

 reinforced by a little mass of the poisoned bran at the base of 

 each tree. A broad layer of fluffy cotton batting, tied at the 



