56 



THE SUGAR-BEET WIREWOEM. 



and at the same time not have tlic disadvaiitago of caiisiiio; the seeds 

 to rot. This water is procured by alhnving a mass of coal tar or 

 pine tar to stand in water for some time. The water becomes 

 slightly colored and smells very strongly of tar. A verj" little tar 

 will suffice for treating a large amount of water. 



The seeds were treated by allowing them to soak in this water 

 overnight, and they were then ])lanted. They smelled (juite strongly 

 of tar even after they were allowed to dry partially. The results 

 obtained are shown in the following summary: 



Table \']I.- 'Erpertnioit.i irith tar vatcr as a deterrent cigainst the Huynr-heet irireirorm. 



In spite of the fact that the table seems to indicate that tar water 

 is ineffectual, this method is to be given a more extensive trial next 

 spring. 



ASH WATER. 



Ashes have long been used and recommended as a deterrent 

 against various insects, and especially wireworms. It has been 

 mentioned previously that the beetles appear to be driven out by 

 ashes. About the only way that ashes could be used on a large 

 scale would be to soak the seeds in water which had been used to 

 leach out ashes. This method was used, the seeds being i)artially 

 dried before planting. The following summary shows that any 

 benefits which might have been derived from the use of this method 

 are too small to be of much importance. 



Table VIII. — Experiments with ash water as a deterrent against the sugar-beet wireworm. 



