EXPERIMENTS WITH EELWORMS. I'J 



REPORT ON EXPERIMENTS WITH EELWORMS. 



THE FUMIGATION OF THE SOIL. 



In the winter of 1905 I commenced a series of experiments with 

 a view to finding something that would effectually rid the soil of 

 Eelworms. After various substances were tried the experiments 

 gradually led up to reconsidering the whole subject of the fumigation 

 of the soil, and a long and elaborate series of experiments were planned 

 and carried out. 



During the past few years very rapid strides have been made in 

 this and other countries, in the methods for combating Insect and other 

 animal pests which are injurious to various plants. 



Thus, by spraying and fumigation, the farmer, fruit grower, and 

 horticulturist are now able to deal with a large number of pests and 

 to control the same, which means that better crops are obtained and 

 of an increased value. 



But there are certain pests which it is impossible to control by 

 spraying or by the existing methods of fumigation. 



The two fumigants at present in general use are carbon bisulphide 

 and hydrocyanic acid gas, both highly dangerous substances except 

 in the hands of skilled people. Further, whilst both of these sub- 

 stances are admirable for fumigating plants under glass, etc., they are 

 scarcely practicable when one has to take into consideration a great 

 acreage of land. 



As is well-known, the caterpillars or grubs of many insects spend 

 that period of their life in the soil, feeding upon the roots of various 

 plants, that many others spend the pupal or chrysalis stage there, 

 whilst a few remain underground throughout life. 



Amongst these insects we may mention : 



Springtails ; the Pea and Corn Thrips ; the Mole Cricket ; the 

 Cockchafer Beetle ; the Green Rose-chafer ; the May Bug ; the Asparagus 

 Beetle ; the Mustard Beetle ; the Nut, Pea, Vine, Turnip Gall and 

 many other Weevils or Snout Beetles ; the Hop Flea Beetle ; the 

 Turnip Flea Beetle ; the Skipjacks (Wireworms) ; and the Pigmy 

 Mangold Beetle. 



Also the Turnip Dart Moth ; the Yellow Underwing Moth ; the 

 Antler Moth ; the Ghost or Otter Moth ; the Small Swift Moth ; the 

 Hart and Dart Moth ; the Pea Moth ; the Cabbage Moth ; the Currant 

 or Magpie Moth ; and the Common Rustic Moth. 



The Woolly Aphis (Root Form) ; the Fruit-Tree Root Louse ; 

 Phylloxera ; the Root Mealy Bug. 



The Onion Fly ; the Mangel Fly ; the Fever Fly ; the Carrot 

 Fly ; the Celery Fly ; Crane Flies (Leather Jackets) ; the Pear Midge ; 

 the Pea Midge ; the Wheat Midge. 



