1909.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 57 



eel worm galls, while the top-watered plants, which were grow- 

 ing in more or less dry soil, were in all cases severely infected 

 with eel worms. This experiment was repeated, with similar 

 results. 



In some correspondence relating to eel worms Dr. Ernest 

 Bessey of the United States Department of Agriculture recently 

 informed us that the same effects had been observed by him in 

 the south, along river banks where the soil is inundated for a 

 brief period of time each year. This application of excessive 

 amounts of water to the soil for brief periods may prove to be 

 a practical method of ridding the soil of this pest, and it may 

 follow that liquid manure containing refuse contaminated with 

 nematodes may be safely employed on roses and other crops 

 if the manure is left in water for a sufficient period of time. 



