136 Second Report oh Economic Zoology. 



" Clover ley and grass lands are always full of these larvie, and 

 the result is that when the land is broken up the first few crops are 

 generally a complete failure, unless proper siejjs are taken to free the 

 land from the Wire worm. 



" Land previous to being ploughed np should he fed off by sheep, 

 the sheep being penned and fed so that not only all surface vegetation 

 goes, l)ut the land becomes well trodden down and saturated with 

 their urine, etc. It should then be ploughed up and a crop uf 

 niustar<l grown. This should l)e allowed to live to lialf its growth, 

 and should then be ploughed in green. Wire worm will not feed on 

 growing mustard, and when ploughed in green it seems to have a 

 very marked effect in decreasing their numbers. 



" In young crops wlrere Wireworm are working, such as wheat, 

 heavy rollings with a ring-roller do nuich good, consolidating the soil 

 and so preventing tlie Wireworm from moving rapidly from plant to 

 plant. 



" Mustard and rape cake and dust (niljs) \m\e lieen much 

 employed as a Wireworm remedy. It is thought that these 

 substances get rid of the pests ; no such thing, for they form a 

 palatable food for Ekder larvse. 



" They act by drawing the Wireworm away from the plants, and 

 in young crops good is no doubt done pro tern, by allowing the plants 

 to grow away from the Wii'eworm. It has no lasting effect, and 

 moreover probably encourages Wireworm in the land. There is no 

 doubt that the use of such (rape dust) as manures in hop gardens has 

 tended to the great increase of these pests there. 



" Neither gas-lime, Hme, nor salt, so often recommended, have any 

 definite effect upon the young larvffi in the ground, but the first - 

 named now and then seems to act as a deterrent, and may be used to 

 advantage on [Wire wormy] land prior to its being broken up. Gas- 

 lime must be left for at least four weeks before it is worked into 

 the land. The quantity depends entirely upon local conditions, 

 soil. etc. 



" Stimulating manures should always be given when the crop is 

 seen to be attacked by Wireworm. Soot has been found to answer 

 well, and under certain conditions seems to have even a definite 

 effect upon the insects. 



" In districts where seaweed is used as a manure, it is said 

 AViieworm do very little harm. 



" Trapping the larvce may also be carried out with marked 

 success. This is done by placing pieces of mangold, potatoes, or, best 

 of all, beetroot under the earth near hop-hills, garden borders, and so 



