ENEMIES AND DISEASES OF CORN 267 



thus destroying the larvae while they are hibernating; 

 (2) moderately late planting which, to an extent, escapes 

 the early crop of caterpillars; (3) early and frequent culti- 

 vation which seems to disturb the cut-worms and thus 

 check their ravages; (4) poisoning, by scattering clover 

 or wheat bran that has been treated with paris-green or 

 arsenate of lead, over the fields as a bait. Usually a mash 

 is made of bran, paris-green and water and sweetened with 

 molasses. This preparation is eaten readily by the worms 

 and is very destructive. 



323. Wire- worms (Elateridce) . These slender, smooth, 

 firm-bodied worms are the larvae of the beetles com- 

 monly called "Jack-snappers," " Hominy-beaters " or 

 " Thumping-beaters." The larvae are of yellowish brown 

 color and range from one to two inches in length. The 

 eggs are usually deposited in sod land, each generation 

 requiring from three to five years to reach complete 

 maturity. Wire-worms may injure corn by eating the 

 seed before it comes up, or by feeding on the roots or 

 " drilling" into the stalks just below the surface of the 

 ground. The latter injury causes the center of the growing 

 plant to die. They are worse on low lands or lands having 

 been in sod. 



In sections where wire-worms are destructive the low 

 sod lands should be planted in some crop other than corn 

 for one or two years after it is first plowed. If this cannot 

 be done the sod should be plowed in the fall and disked 

 thoroughly once or twice during the winter. This treat- 

 ment will either starve or kill by exposure many of the 

 larvae. Any treatment, such as good fertilization or 

 thorough and frequent tillage, that stimulates growth will 

 enable the corn to recover more quickly from the attacks 

 of wire-worms. 



