94 Corn Grubs, or Cut Worms. Fall Ploughing. 



When I communicated the foregoing on Fall-jiloughing^ &c. and 

 the note I wished to follow it; I was persuaded that the corn-grub 

 was the progeny of the dung-beetle. Great numbers of grubs having 

 been found in the J.oles made by this beetle, confirmed an i lea sug- 

 gested by other circumstances. But since I have observed the fact, 

 that holes made with a stick, will also be filled witb grubs falling into 

 them, and have been satisfied by proofs of grubs turning into moths, 

 I have retracted my former opinion. Next to the pleasure of esta- 

 blishing a truth, is that of acknowledging an error. But this discove- 

 ry of the parent c r the grub, is highly favourable to the uses of fall- 

 ploughing ; as moths must lay their eggs shallow, and more exposed. 

 It also accov ifor the efficacy of previously burning the dead grass, 

 weeds, Sec. composing- the foul cover of fields ploughed in the spring, 

 for Indian corn. It seems probable that the moths deposit their eggs 

 or young on this foul cover. 



I have threshed my crop of wheat and rye off the field sod-rotted. 

 Of wheat (heavy and perfectly clean) I have 30 bushels to the acre ; 

 of rye, 36 bushels. I cut, with my stubble, two tons of clover and or- 

 chard grass to the acre, in the last autumn. Not a weed to be seen. 



R. P. 

 February 26th, 1818. 



