80 THE PESTS OF THE FAEM. 



speedily as possible after having been compounded : be it also re- 

 membered that this composition will be found a valuable fertilizer, 

 as well as a foe to insects of all sorts. Woad, sweet gale, the re- 

 fuse of gas-works, spirits of tar, chloride of lime, nitrate of soda, 

 mixed with the manure, will be found very serviceable ; at all 

 events, effecting a sensible diminution in the numbers of the wire- 

 worm, and of course a diminution of their ravages in an equal 

 ratio. 



The wireworm is found in great numbers, generally on newly 

 cultivated grounds, or meadows, which have been long in repose ; 

 they can be conquered, and should not be suffered to revel on the 

 plants of industrious farmers. Exposure to the frosts of winter 

 will destroy them ; therefore, autumn plowing is essential ; and 

 the course or remedy suggested to destroy the cutworm, is equally 

 effective on the wireworm. 



It has been tried to destroy the wireworm by flooding, but this 

 is only a useless attempt, it being almost impossible to drown this 

 creature, which will be found as lively as ever after a total immer- 

 sion for threej or even four, days ; still, however, such flooding, 

 though it will not destroy the worms, interferes with the laying of 

 the beetles which produce them, and will consequently, in this 

 point of view, be occasionally found useful. 



Soda has been used with success. I have known soda tried by 

 practical men, who were most unwitting, unless actually coerced 

 into it, to listen to any novelty, and they have unanimously asserted 

 the success of their experiments with soda. 



Let frogs and toads be encouraged on your lands ; their entire 

 food consists of insects, of such creatures as you are most anxious 

 to destroy. Call them in, therefore, to your assistance protect 

 them, regard them as your friends and laborers, and they will aid 

 you most extensively. The robin, blackbird, wagtail, thrush, to- 

 gether with poultry, and crows, &c., feed on these insects. 



IULES. In various parts of the country the iules is supposed 

 to be, and often is called, the wireworm ; but does not belong to 

 that family ; a sketch of the iules is given to correct this erroneous 

 belief. Each segment of the body is furnished with two pairs of 

 legs, whereas the true wireworm has but six. The iules also, when 

 disturbed or alarmed, rolls itself into a coil which the hardness of 

 the wireworm will not admit of. The iules is perfect in itself, and 

 is oviparous ; the wireworm is a larva and cannot produce ovse 

 . until its transfer nation to the beetle or perfect state. The iules 



