MONTHLY NOTES ON GRUBS AND OTHER CANE PESTS. 41 
ON THE VALUE OF CULTIVATION. 
Standing out in marked contrast to the surrounding devastated areas 
are the fields which chanced to get intensive cultivation at just the 
critical time. In each of these cases the planting was late (October), 
and, consequently, the cultivation followed through the flight of the 
beetles. The field of first ratoons (lower half of L,) is showing most 
remarkable growth, and only slight infestation on one edge. It was cut 
in November, and the ratooning coincided with the flight of the beetles. 
It certainly now looks as if we would get another good crop in the midst 
of this infested area, with no other treatment than proper cultivation. 
Then, too, the 40-acre field of plant-cane, J,, still has a fine dark- 
green colour, in marked contrast to the devastated fields on every side 
of it. Only in a few spots along the tramline is there any indication of 
grubs, and these do not appear to be spreading, for the recent rains have 
improved the colour and vitality of the cane. 
Digging shows that the grubs are beginning to go down. Many are 
yellow, showing that they have finished feeding, so the most of their 
devastation is probably over. Continued rains may possibly revive much 
of the injured cane if it has time to make new roots before it falls over. 
MERINGA PLOTS. 
These plots are located on high ground, where they suffer consider- 
ably from any continued drought. During the dry weather in March 
signs of grubs began to appear on the edge of several of the plots, but 
in no case has the yellowing extended farther into the plots. Indications 
now are that the critical period is past, and that we will have a fair cut. 
None of the injured cane has fallen, so with good rains it will all revive. 
It is interesting to observe that the cane in the plot treated with 
lime (CaO) at the rate of 1 ton per acre, has a beautiful dark-green 
colour, and is the best of all the plots, though the soil in that part of the 
field is rather poor, being on the highest ground. The meatworks manure 
appears to be attractive to the grubs, because there is considerable 
yellowing along the edge of this plot. On the other hand, meatworks 
manure, mixed with white arsenic, placed in the drill after planting, 
is showing good results. The cane is of good size, and shows little grub-— 
injury, even where only 10 Ib. of arsenic was used per acre. In the plot 
where 20 lb. of arsenic was used with 5 ewt. of meatworks manure per 
acre, no signs of grubs have yet appeared. It is too early yet to draw 
definite conclusions, but these indications are encouraging. 
CANE GRUB INVESTIGATION, MAY, 1919. 
The continued rains have wonderfully improved the appearance of 
the cane in the infested areas. Fortunately there has been no heavy 
wind, and in most eases the cane is still standing: Even where the leaves 
became dry and brown new growth has started. Digging revealed new 
