96 BEETLES. 



knotted lumps to which it would have presently re- 

 turned, and which w'ould have kept the land open for 

 its passage. 



The habit of the Wireworm in feeding is to keep 

 near the surface, gliding about, as its smooth glassy- 

 surface enables it to do, from one plant to another, 

 eating out a piece here and a piece there, and thus 

 injuring the whole crop ; and, if this happens whilst 

 the crop is in its first growth, the value even of those 

 plants that struggle through is much lessened. For 

 this reason the main points, in preparation of ground 

 to carry the plant over attack, consist in treatment 

 that will give a good seed-bed, and mixing the soil 

 with such chemical manures as will be good for the 

 plant and unsatisfactory at least to the Wireworm ; 

 also so to clear the ground of rubbish and work it that 

 it may be sufficiently firm (or admit of being suffici- 

 ently "firmed" by treatment afterwards) to prevent 

 the travelling of the Wireworm. For this purpose it 

 is advised to plough in good time in autumn, and work 

 the land well so as to get it in good order and conso- 

 lidated, and either by burning, rotting, or whatever 

 means may be preferred, 2)i'cv('nt it being kej^t oi)enan(l 

 full of harbours for Wimvorms ; stubble and roots, 

 cabbage stalks or bean haulm, and all such matters, 

 are Wireworm-helpers. If we look down the notes of 

 special applications found serviceable to plough in, we 

 see constantly repeated :— salt ; salt ; salt ; gas-lime; 

 gas-lime ; hot lime ; lime and salt ; and in a less 

 degree (probably because it is not so well known) 

 alkali waste is also highly recommended. Kainite 

 also is useful, and regular fertilisers, as superphos- 

 phate and also nitrate of soda.* But it is worth 



* The reader is requested to observe that I am in no sort of way 

 advising growing crops, especially Turnips, without a liberal supply 

 of farm manure, but merely, as my business in the matter is to pomt 

 out where special pests harbour, I just notice that several of them — 

 Wireworm amongst others — arc sometimes found in stable, cow-shed, 

 and other animal manure, and that consequently examination of its 

 condition, and, if found to be infested, due means of remedy, are 

 desirable. 



