TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 75 



that not only the verdure of tlie pastures was destroyed, but the 

 roots of all sorts of vegetables were attacked — and their devasta- 

 tions were so great, that they had nearly ruined many of the far- 

 mers in one of the most fertile counties in England. 



It was the want of potatoe seed that led to the experiment of 

 oats, upon newly broken up land. I was aware of the hazard to 

 which the crop might be exposed : but as the adjoining field, 

 treated in the same manner, and planted with potatoes, has 

 yielded a good crop, it proves clearly that there is little or no 

 risk in beginning, newly broken up land, with potatoes. The 

 mode of planting here, is also favourable — for by using the small 

 whole potatoe as seed, there are many shoots : wherefore if even 

 a few escape the grub, the crop will succeed : and this is the rea- 

 son why potatoe crops are seldom seriously affected by the depre- 

 dations of that insect. Repeated cropping and stirring the land, 

 I have also found an eft'ectual remedy ; for in some that was at 

 first greatly infested, there is not now a grub to be seen. 



" Grubs feed on the sweet matter of corn, which is a kind of 

 " pap, like cream." This property it evidently possesses at the 

 time the plants are very young and tender — but, when they attain 

 size and strength the juices lose that sweetness, and are therefore, 

 much less adapted to the nourishment of the young grubs: Avhich 

 are, indeed the most to be apprehended. 



The crop of oats that was destroyed, was sown, perhaps, too 

 early — that is on the 4th of June; and consequently about four 

 weeks before the expected rains. — These, however, this year, in 

 a great degree, failed — and the few showers that did fall, were 

 immediately evaporated by the sun's heat. It was during this 

 dry weather that the eggs of the grub were hatched ; and that 

 the young grubs came forth just in time to feed on the tender 

 corn, that had been considerably retarded by the dry weather. 



