80 CORN AND GRASS, [1899 



years' old. . . . Last summer we observed great numbers of this 

 grub in the corn fields in this neighbourhood." 



On May Gtli, after some further communication, my correspondent 

 wrote me the following remarks, which it will be seen embody in them 

 some useful suggestions as to use of nitrate of soda. After some 

 preliminary observations he wrote : — 



"Having 35,000 of the three-year old Strawberry plants to deal 

 with this year, I have come to the conclusion that the best plan is to 

 try the nitrate of soda. 



" I have been in communication with Dr. Bernard Dyer, for I 

 wished to know how much nitrate I could use without injuring the 

 plants. He has advised me to use f oz. the square yard, putting it in 

 equal quantities round the crowns of the plants. This is at the rate 

 of 2 cwt. to the acre, and we are using it in powder. The first shower 

 of rain will carry it all down. ... To apply in a state of solution 

 would be great labour and ratber dangerous, for those employed in the 

 work could not so well ascertain what amount they were really giving 

 to each plant. ... I propose next autumn, when these three-year 

 old plants are taken up, sowing salt at the rate of 12 cwt. to the acre, 

 and then planting the ground next spring. Salt at the rate of 12 cwt. 

 to the acre will, as we know, kill any weed and Couch-grass, surely it 

 will also kill the grub unless they go down away from it." 



Observations were given of attack /;/ summer to a very destructive 

 extent by white grubs, apparently OtiorJii/nchus or weevil larvae, pre- 

 sumably of one of tbe kinds which are frequently injurious to garden 

 fruit crops by feeding at the roots in grub state, and at the leaves and 

 soft shoots in beetle condition ; but these notes I have carefully 

 separated from those referring to the Daddy Louglegs grubs. 



My correspondent promised me a report as to effect of the appli- 

 cation of the nitrate of soda, and on November 3rd was good enough 

 to send me the following information : — 



" The nitrate of soda was applied during the months of April and 

 May to about 35,000 Strawberry plants; this was carried out in 

 accordance with instructions kindly given to me by Dr. Bernard Dyer. 

 An examination of the roots of the plants in June and July showed 

 that there were but few grubs of the Crane Fly present, but immense 

 numbers of the beetle grubs. The application of the nitrate of soda 

 did not in the slightest degree check the ravages of the grub. The 

 crop was a failure, owing to the fact that the plants were almost 

 separated from the ground, the grub having cut nearly all the small 

 roots, and eaten into the heart of the plants as well. I marked plots 

 of plants which did not receive any nitrate of soda. There was no 

 difference between the plants which received it and those which 

 did not. 



