THE GRUB. 139 



tracks of the wheels soon disappeared under the reviving 

 haulm ; the worm was completely routed, and we harvested 

 a tolerable crop of oats. The worm cannot bear the smell 

 of liquid manure from the tanks, but the latter must be 

 applied on growing crops to have effect. When applied 

 before seeding, it loses its smell too soon. I used to pump 

 water into the tank and stir up the old settlings (the tank 

 being very large) to make the stuff last, so that I have had 

 nearly 100 loads (for four oxen each) drawn in a season, and 

 saved a good many acres of oats. 



" The above are facts proved by experience. Let me add 

 that sometimes after a cavalry manoeuvre on seeded fields, 

 the whole crop seemed destroyed by the horses' hoofs, and 

 consequently was taxed and the owner indemnified; but 

 afterwards the crop revived and gave a highly remunerative 

 harvest. We must loosen the ground by ploughing, but we 

 cannot pack it too much afterwards for crops of small grain, 

 barley excepted, provided w r e keep the surface from baking." 



Mr. Johnston, while, however, in the second paper 

 above alluded to, advocating, as the main features of 

 his preventive measures, a change in the rotation of the 

 cropping, nevertheless holds that other remedial measures 

 are necessary. But a few sentences back we alluded to the 

 use of salt as a preventive. Our authority, in a certain 

 way, advocates the use of this, with a view to attack, and, 

 if possible, poison the grub at that stage of its development 

 when it is weakest. With our unfortunate ignorance of 

 the real habits of the grub (what a fine opportunity, by the 

 way, for our agricultural societies to do something in the 

 way of inquiry and observation in the complete mode we 

 have more than once in the course of our papers advo- 

 cated !) we do not know precisely at what period of the 

 year it is in its weakest condition. Mr. Johnston, however, 

 conjectures that this is in the month of February; and as 

 the attacking and poisoning agent is salt, he recommends 

 this to be applied in this month at the rate of 10 cwt. per 

 acre, harrowed well into the soil, and the land thus pre- 

 pared seeded with oats four or five weeks thereafter. Our 



