Eighth Report of the State Entomologist. 239 



When grass is infested, as in lawns, it is difficult to control the 

 attack. Perhaps gas lime where it can be obtained, applied at the 

 commencement of winter, would penetrate to a sufficient depth to 

 kill the larvae. Usually it will be found necessary to sacrifice the 

 sod. Tt is claimed that where land is not allowed to lie in sod for 

 over two years at a. time, the worms will not accumulate in it. 

 Removing their food is an effective method. This may be done by 

 turning over the grass before it has made much growth in the 

 spring, and dragging, to bring up the roots to the surface for (Irv- 

 ing. A week later, another thorough dragging will destroy all 

 green vegetation. Late ploughing, in the autumn, is said to be an 

 effectual remedy, if deferred until the cut-worms have become 

 torpid, and the ploughing sufficiently deep to crush the cells that 

 they have shaped for their winter's sleep. 



Two preventives of attack to cornfields have been given, which, 

 from the testimony borne to their efficacy, may be accepted as 

 reliable. The first is the simple and easy application of salt, as 

 follows: Immediately after the corn is planted, sprinkle on the 

 hill, over the covered grains, about one tablespoonful of common 

 salt to each hill. The explanation given for the protection of the 

 plants is, that as the salt dissolves and is carried to the roots and 

 taken up into the circulation, the young corn becomes unpalatable 

 to the worms, and they will not eat? it, while the direct application 

 of salt to them is harmless, even if they be buried in it. 



The second method, which has been tested by the gentleman 

 recommending it and by others for twelve years, and always with 

 success, even upon new ground and clover land, is soaking the 

 corn, before planting, in copper as water. Tests had been made by 

 planting portions of a field without the preparation, and these por- 

 tions in several instances required replanting two or three times. 

 The manner of preparing the corn is as follows : 



Put the seed corn in a tight tub or barrel, and pour in enough 

 water to keep it well covered after it swells. For each bushel of 

 corn add a pound or a pound and a half of copperas, dissolved in 

 warm water. Stir well, and allow the corn to remain in the cop- 

 peras water twenty-four or thirty hours. Stir several times while 

 soaking. Then take it out and sprinkle a small quantity of land- 



