347 
or wilting, the presence of eelworms in the root may be suspected, 
whatever kind of may be concerned. The most obvious 
indication of the presence of eelworms is the galled or knotted 
appearance of the root. This, however, is but a suggestion, and 
should be corroborated by microscopic examination, as galls on 
root may be due to other causes, For example, the swellings on 
the roots of cabbages, caused by the cabbage root fly, Phorbia 
brassicae ; finger-and-toe, on the roots of various cruciferous plants, 
due to the presence of Plasmodiophora brassicae, &ce. Tubercles 
are normally present on the roots of leguminous plants, but galls 
formed by nematodes may often be found intermixed on the same 
So far as preventive or curative methods are concerned, there 
is no known method by which the eggs of eelworms can be killed 
in open ground, and even when treating a limited amount of soil in 
houses, the most drastic measures, accurately applied, can alone 
command success. The reison why eelworms are so difficult to 
exterminate arises from the fact that eggs are produced in immense 
numbers throughout the year, or at all events so long as living 
roots are available, and young eelworms are constantly being 
liberated into the soil, consequently the dressing capable of killing 
eelworms should be repeated for a considerable number of times, 
extending over a long period of time, which becomes almost imprac- 
ticable. A dressing of sulphate of potash, 3 ewt. per acre, will kill 
all active eelworms with which it comes in contact, and however 
well it may be worked into the soil many will escape, and its efficacy 
soon passes away. When, however, a growing crop is suffering from 
eelworm, the application of sulphate of potash, if at a sufficiently early 
date, will check the progress of the disease to some extent, but it will 
not prove a permanent cure, since the eggs are not destroyed. The 
application of lime is practically useless against eelworm. (Gaslime, 
now hardly procurable, is a more satisfactory remedy, as its lasting 
power in the land means the death of successive generations, but to 
obtain this end the land ‘must lie fallow for some time. e use of 
a “ trap crop ” is advocated by German oi oe where the injury 
to sugar-beet by eelworm is often considerable. 
of the crop at the proper time. ; 
number of eelworms present in the land that a fairly good crop 
may be secured, but its effect is not lasting. Se 
For the complete destruction of eelworms in soil in tomato and 
cucumber houses, &c., the method recommended by Stone and 
Smith is as follows :— 
expense providing proper attention is paid to the method of apply- 
_ing the steam. A pressure of steam exceeding 50 Ibs. is not only 
