110 PEAR. [1899 



The observation of tlie larva being able to work its way through 

 material of such very different nature as mortar and cloth-shred is of 

 interest. The circumstance of kerosine emulsion failing in effect was, 

 I conjecture, attributable to the power possessed by the " Slugworm " 

 of moulting oft" its protective coat of slime (together with the irritating 

 dressing). For this reason it is necessary to watch the efi'ects of any 

 remedial application, and in case it is moulted off it should be renewed 

 as soon as possible. If much time is allowed to elapse between the 

 dressings, the larva3 will have regained their power to produce the 

 slimy condition, and in all probability the second application of 

 dressing (wet or dry) will be moulted off like the first. 



Strong soapsuds, well syringed at the infested leaves, have long 

 been found a useful application with us. 



In Mr. Marlatt's ' Bulletin,' referred to previously (page 102), he 

 mentions a simple soap solution or an arsenical wash, sprayed on the 

 plants, as the best means of destroying the larvfe. The soap- wash (it 

 is mentioned), " to be effective, must be applied at a strength of one- 

 half pound of soap to a gallon of water, first dissolving the soap, 

 preferably whale oil, by boiling in a small quantity of water." . . . . 

 " The plants may be sprayed with Paris-green or other arsenical wash 

 at the rate of one pound of the poison, mixed with an equal amount of 

 lime, to two hundred and fifty gallons of water." — (C. L. M.) 



The amount of the Sawfiies themselves which are present on the 

 leafage may be lessened by jarring or shaking the infested boughs ; 

 but, when fallen down, though they may remain for some time 

 motionless, they will subsequently cease feigning to be dead, and 

 fly away, so that it is desirable to beat them down on to boards, 

 or anything that is convenient to use, which has been tarred on the 

 surface, and thus destroy the flies before they escape. 



One of the simplest and at the same time most thoroughly 

 successful applications that I am personally acquainted with is, 

 dusting the Slugworm-infested leafage with a mixture of soot and 

 lime. I have found this to answer perfectly in my own garden in 

 killing the grubs, without any repetition of the treatment being 

 needed; only, if the weather is dry, it is well to give the leaves a 

 good syringing over in a day or two, to clear them from the powder. 



Skiiiniiing, or removing the surface of the infested ground to the 

 depth at which the cocoons lie, and removing and burning or deeply 

 burying earth and grubs together, is an obvious method of preventing 

 much recurrence of attack ; and with a very moderate amount of care 

 this kind of infestation lies so much under the power of remedial as 

 well as preventive treatment, that in this country at least it need not 

 cause much injury. 



