ASPARAGUS BEETLE. 13 
Shaking the beetles down into a basin with any fluid in it which 
will prevent them escaping is also a good plan. Strewing the plants 
well with lime early in the morning whilst the dew is on has been 
found useful; and probably if, instead of lime alone, a mixture of lime 
and gas-lime in equal quantities, with a small addition of soot and of 
sulphur, all pounded up finely together, was similarly used, it would 
be still more serviceable. 
Iam not aware of any observations having been made as to pre- 
vention of attack by winter dressings or spring treatment of the beds. 
Digging of course is out of the question, but pricking with a fork two 
or three inches deep is admissible if care is taken not to wound the 
roots, and something perhaps might be done in this way, in spring, 
towards throwing the surface open for birds to get at the grubs. 
Salt does not appear to be of service in this matter, for in 
Mr. Wratislaw’s notes regarding his bad attack he observed that the 
beds had received a good dressing of salt ‘‘as usual” in the spring ; 
but where, as in localities near the coast, seaweed is sometimes used 
for spring dressing instead of salt, it would be of practical interest to 
have information whether this answered as a deterrent; but for a 
straightforward, reasonably practicable means of prevention I believe 
that being on the alert early in the season, and snipping off and 
destroying egg-infested leaves and sprays, and likewise those on which 
the grubs are observable, would answer well in keeping the infestation 
in check. 
