lo July. 191 i.] 11 mis 011 Cut Worm Dcslructioii. 461 



out after sunset. Should all the insects not be destroyed by the first 

 application, it is necessary to repeat the dose. It is well to remoAe the 

 dried-up baits previously put out. on account of the injurious effect of the 

 arsenic on vegetation if left to In- washed into the soil Ijv rain. For this 

 reason, care should be taken not to place the baits in contact with the 

 young vine, but at least an inch or so away from it. 



In one plantation where this precaution was not observed, many vines 

 subsequently died from arsenical poi.soning. The cau.se of death was at 

 first obscure. The. action of the ar.senic contained in baits, which had been 

 extensively used (with very satisfactorv results .so far as cut worm destruc- 

 tion was concerned), was suspected. Analvsis revealed the presence of 

 arsenic in the interior of the stem of the dead vines, so there appears to 

 be little doubt as to ar.senical poisoning being the cause of death. 



Paris green, which usually contains more or less free arsenious acid, 

 could probably, on this account. \)r advantageously replaced by arsenate of 

 lead in the bait formula given above. The insolubility of the latter salt 

 would insure safety from a similar mishap. Nevertheless, with due care 

 against absolute contact, there is little or no danger. Although Paris green 

 baits were very extensi\ely used in Rutherglen during the i:)ast three seasons, 

 ir only one case was poisoning reported. 



Vegetable Baits. — It is probable that good results could l>e obtained 

 by growing, in close proximity to the young vine, plants which the insects 

 ^at readily, and which could, by spraying with lead arsenate, be con- 

 verted into poisonous baits. The.se would be capable of acting so long 

 as the arsenate remained on them, instead of merely for a single night, as 

 is the ca.se with the artificial baits. Arsenical poisoning of the vine would 

 also Ije obviated. 



Young Soya Bean ])lants are greedily eatt-n l)v cut worms, and it is 

 possible that they would prove very suitable for the purpose. A couple 

 .sown on either side of, and quite clo.se to the young vine, when this is being 

 planted, would give something to sprav with lead arsenate before the vine 

 buds burst into growth. 



The suggestion is made in the hope that it may prove of service during 

 the coming planting .sea.son. Of course, other plants might prove more suit- 

 able than the sova bean ; it is one. however, which .seems to be verv accept- 

 able to the insects. 



OiiiER Metiiod.s. 



There arc no doubt, other ways of combating these troublesome insects, 

 but, .so far as Victorian experience is concerneti. ar.senical poisoning has 

 given the best results. Hand-picking around the young vine, though 

 effe<-tual, is too labf)rious. and con.sequently costlv, as well as verv slow. 

 In 1'' ranee, hand-picking bv the light of a lantern at night, wlien the insects 

 .ire al)Ove ground, is often reecininiemled. 



The use of strongly smelling .substances in the soil, around the vine, 

 in order to render it an unsuitable refuge for lh«- instrts during the day 

 time, has been recomnvnded. \a])htha!ine and several projirietary mix- 

 tures, such as " \'ai)orite " and others, seem to Ik- suitabh- for the pur- 

 pos«', as well as watering with .solutions of Hen/ole enuilsion, Siil])hide of 

 Potassium. iV'c. .Some of these ha\e been tried, and g«x>d results are 

 claimed for tln-m, but further e\periineiUs .ire ne(^-ssar\ Iw-tore thev can Ik- 

 -contlih'iitlv recommended. 



In the case of .severe outbreaks, a combination of the \arious niethod.s 

 Jiientioned above is advisable. 



