CuT-WpKMS. 35 



worm has passed and lies concealed. The way to bring the pest 

 up is to thrust a pointed knife down near the hole and lift out the 

 earth to the depth of two or three inches, when the malefactor will 

 lie exposed to view, and can be instantly destroyed. I have known 

 large fields to be cleared by this process at a cost of labor so slight 

 as to bear no comparison with the loss that would have otherwise 

 resulted" {Country Gentleman for Jan. 6, 1881, p. 8). 



The idea has been advanced that dandelions (Taraxacum dens- 

 leonis) foster the cut-worm, and if these were carefully cut up 

 whenever seen, its injuries would be greatly mitigated (Country 

 Gentleman, June 20, 1872, p. 392, c. 2). Examinations about the 

 plants during the month of June, would show if there is reason for 

 this belief. 



Starvation. — An instance is related where cut-worm attack was 

 forestalled by removing their food-material from the ground. A 

 piece of sod was turned over before the grass had made much 

 growth. It was dragged, to bring up the roots and dry them. A 

 week later, another dragging was given it, which destroyed every 

 green thing. It was then planted with corn, and entirely escaped 

 the usual cut- worm attack (Country Gentleman, May 6, 1875, 

 p. 277, c. 1). 



This method can not fail of being as effectual against cut-worms 

 as for destroying the white grub, for which, in a former paper, I 

 have strongly recommended it. 



Two Peeventives Specially Commended. 



It will be observed that quite a number of preventives and reme- 

 dies have been given above, and it may be asked why this is so 

 frequently done in our entomological writings. We reply: A 

 method adapted to the soil of one locality may not be as effectual 

 in another; it may be more difficult of application in one place than 

 in another; it may be available for garden use, but not for the more 

 extended area of field and farm; it may require to be thoroughly 

 tested before its real merit is known and it can be urged to the 

 exclusion of others. 



It would seem, however, that we have in the above, two prevent- 

 ives for cut-worm attack in corn fields, either of which may be 

 relied upon for general use. We speak thus strongly in their favor, 

 in consideration of the tests made of their efficacy, as in the state- 

 ments subjoined. Of the protection by salt, Mr. J. L. du Fief, of 

 Montgomery county, Maryland, writes as follows: 



