45^ Ji>:t>)ial of Ai:^rici(11uri' , Yicforia. [lo July, 191 i. 



Explanation of Plate. 

 Xatiiral Size. From Nature. 



I. Chloridca obsoleia. (Toma'.o Moth.) VI. Agrotis spina. (Bugong Moth.) 



II. Cirfhis unipuncta. VII. Euflexia nigerrima. 



III. Euxoa radians. VIII. Larva of Agrotis. 



IV. Persectania evingi. (Climbing Cut IX. Larva curled up. 



Worm.) X. Pupa of Agrotis. 

 V. Pliisia argentifcra. (.Silvery Moth.) 



Remedies. 



By the eradication of weeds and the burning of haulms and stems of 

 harvested crops the cut worm evil may be greatly minimised, as by this 

 means many eggs are destroyed. 



Growing crops may be treated in the following manner : — Place between 

 rows of an infested crop or at short distances apart, bundles of any succu- 

 lent weed or vegetable which has been previously poisoned by dipping it, 

 after tying in bundles, into a strong mixture of Paris green i oz. to a 

 bucket of water. The cut worms eat the poisoned plants, bury them.selves, 

 and die. In hot, dry weather the bundles should be put out after sundown. 

 Correspondents have frequently inquired whether there is any likelihood of 

 vegetables absorbing Paris green from the mash when placed near the roots. 

 I am assured by the Chemist for Agriculture that there is no danger as the 

 Paris green is practically in.soluble, and therefore cannot be absorbed by 

 the various plants. 



The poisoned bran mash has also been successfully tried. The best 

 proportion to use is one part by weight of arsenic, one of sugar, and six of 

 bran, to which is added sufficient water to make a wet mash. This mixture 

 is usually made in a wash tub or half barrel. One of the.se is filled three- 

 fourthsful with dry bran, and to this is added about 5 lbs. of arsenic, 

 which is thoroughly stirred through the bran with a spade or shovel ; 5 lbs. 

 of sugar are next thrown into a pail, which is then filled with water, and 

 the sugar stirred until it is dissolved, when the sugar water is added to the 

 bran and arsenic, and the three well stirred. More water is added and the 

 stirring continued until every portion of the mash becomes thoroughly 

 saturated. The mixture should be placed around and through the crop, or 

 at the foot of the tree, plant, or shrub infested, dropping it into the shade 

 when this can be done. Both of these preparations should be kept out of 

 the way of children and domestic animals. 



With regard to the efficacy of the poisoned bran mash, I have recently 

 received the following letter from Mr. G. Rav, of Lindenow, Gipps- 

 land : — 



The cut worms were very prevalent this season, but I have had great success in 

 destroying them. I had a crop of English barlev, and, thanks to the use of the bran 

 mash, I have just threshed from 40 to 70 bushels per acre. The caterpillars were 

 two or more inches deep in shady places, and I am sure that I would not have had 

 any returns unless precautions had been taken, 



Mr. C. W. Mallev, Eastern Province Entomologist in South Africa, 

 reports excellent re.sults with poLsoned baits. He says: — 



It occurred to me that bv cuttmg up any available green stuff (lucerne, barley, 

 forage, cabbage, rape, young succulent weeds, &c.) into small bits, say half an 

 inch in length, it could be moistened with the poisoned sweet and then scattered 

 broadcast over the lands with least labour and material. In this way, it is distri- 

 buted evenly, and at such frequent intervals, that the cut worms are practically 

 certain to find it before they do the plants. Their fondness for sweets induces 

 them to fully engorge themselves on the bait, fact which makes their destruction 

 certain. There is also no danger to stock, for the pieces of bait are so small that 

 nothing but poultry can pick them up, and it is not likely that even they will get 

 enough to injure them. But, as a jirecaution, tlie}' should be kej)t from the lands 

 where bait has been spread. 



