86 PAPERS ON CEREAL AND FORAGE INSECTS. 
first symptom of this disease is a small ted spot on one of the body 
segments, usually on the first thoracic or the terminal abdominal 
segment. This spot enlarges, finally encircling the body, and within 
a very short time the insect succumbs. This disease was so preva- 
lent as to interfere with much of Mr. Swenk’s experimental work. 
REMEDIAL AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES. 
If a field is well stocked with false wireworms at the time wheat 
is sown, remedial measures are of little avail, as was demonstrated 
by our experiments carried out in the Big Bend country of Wash- 
ington. The insects are well adapted to the present agricultural 
practices of the spring-wheat growers in the Pacific Northwest. 
Here the plowing of summer-fallow land is commenced as early as 
possible in the spring, which in the average season is in April. Those 
who can spare teams and men often commence while the seeding of 
the crop in other fields is in progress. The most progressive farmers 
then disk their fallow land in June so that this will be well finished 
when haying commences. 
By slightly modifying this procedure an enormous number of 
these beetles would be destroyed. Instead of plowing early in 
the spring and disking in summer, reverse the process. Disk as . 
early as the land can be worked and the apparatus is available, 
which will usually be in April. This will conserve the moisture fully 
as well as plowing. Then plow as late as possible; if the land has been 
well disked and the men and horses can be spared, it is well to defer 
this plowing to late July and early August. At this time the beetles 
are in the pupal, or, as they are commonly called, “‘white-worm,” 
stage. They can not move through the ground as can the active 
larvee, but can merely squirm when irritated. The plowing, which 
should be deep to be effective, turns out great numbers of these. 
pupe, and they are either eaten by birds or killed by the burning 
sun. Many more are destroyed by being crushed or suffocated in 
the broken pupal cells. Aside from killing many Eleodes pup», 
this practice of late plowing the summer-fallow would greatly aid in 
weed eradication. The early disking would not bury the weed seed 
to retard germination; all the seed would develop; then the late plow- 
ing would destroy the entire crop, of weeds. If the weeds start very 
ise a second disking may be necessary, as weeds very rapidly 
deprive the soil of its moisture. 
Concerted effort and very thorough work are absolutely essential to 
render this treatment appreciably effectual. The cooperation of all 
the farmers over a considerable area is advised, as the adult beetles 
walk rapidly and will readily reinfest a well-treated ranch, coming in 
from an adjoining, poorly worked field or pasture. 
