GO EELWORMS. 



are mentioned, as neglect, checlved flow of sap, grubs working in the 

 hill, &c., as possibly causing nettle-headed growth, that it occurs 

 whether (besides cases wb ere the disease, as observed by Prof. Percival, 

 exists coincidently with Eelworm presence) this same, or a very similar 

 kind of diseased growth, may be caused by various other attacks or 

 diseases. 



Where it is caused, or partially caused, by presence of the " Stem 

 Eelworm" (T. devastatrix), it might be hoped that the same kind of 

 applications which prevent or remedy this infestation in, or its effects 

 on growih of, Oats or Clover, might do good. Sulphate of potash, or, 

 better still, sulphate of potash and sulphate of ammonia, which is one 

 of the mixtures that answered well, rapidly, and with well-continued 

 action at Rothamsted * as a remedy for " Stem -sickness " in Clover, 

 might easily be tried. The remedies of employing "lure-plants" to 

 attract the wormlets, and a large number of the applications or treat- 

 ment used in field cultivation of such crops as Beet or Oats when 

 infested with either of the above-named Eelworms would not be 

 practicable with Hops. But nothing could be more sensible than the 

 plan mentioned by one of my correspondents, namely, where single or 

 a few plants are found infested, to dig them up and destroy them. If 

 these were burnt, there would be an end of the matter so far. 



For myself, in placing the subject before my readers, I do it under 

 submission to them, that it seems right just to mention so much as I 

 know as certain, for we may find, now attention is directed to the 

 " Beet Eelworm " being in the country, that it is more present here 

 both at the roots of Mangolds and of Oats than is known of, and also 

 (with thanks to Prof. Percival for placing specimens in my hands) I 

 wish to draw attention to his forthcoming account of his interesting 

 observations, which may be hoped will throw some light on the attack 

 as studied by him in its Kentish locality. 



Boot-knot Eelworm . — Just a few words should be added with 

 regard to the '•Root-knot" Eelworm, the Uetcmdera radicicola, figured 

 at p. 61. This Nematode greatly resembles the H. schachtii. It is 

 eel-shaped in larval and male condition, and the females are very like 

 those of the schnchtii in becoming inflated in figure, but when fully 

 developed they appear (see figure) to be pear-, or gourd-, or tulip-bulb- 

 shape, that is, somewhat pointed above, and flattish or slightly concave 

 below, rather than like the scJuichtii — lemon- or citron-shaped, that is, 

 somewhat spherical, with a prolongation at each end. 



Their method of injury is similar in many respects, but also 

 partially difi'ers in the "Root-knot" Eelworm (as its name imports) 

 characteristically causing gall-growths on the roots of the infested 

 plants until, in the case of the Tomato and Cucumber roots (on which 



* ' Manual of Injurious Insects,' by E. A. Ormerod, p. 54. 



