DISEASES AND PESTS OF THE MAIZE CROP 44S 



mon practice of leaving the old lands unploughed until spring 

 encourages the propagation of the beard-grub, whereas winter 

 ploughing and cultivation of the land (before August) must 

 destroy a large proportion of the insects which are pupating 

 in the soil. To reduce the size of the first spring batch of 

 moths must help greatly to keep down subsequent sets. 



Fig. 166. — Striped beard-grab pupa in sheath at base of ear. 



Dipping or soaking the seed-maize in one or other of 

 various preparations (e.g. saltpetre) is frequently recom- 

 mended as a preventive measure against ear-worm and stalk- 

 borer ; such methods of treatment were tersely likened, by 

 the editor of an American agricultural paper, to " advising a 

 man to soak his feet to prevent his hair from falling out" 

 {Pacific Rural Press, 14 May, 1904). 



414. The Maize Cricket.— Writing to the Cape Agricul- 



CHAP. 



x. 



