268 THE SUGAR BEET. 



Mr. Walkhoff, a German manufacturer, tells ns when 

 these are concentrated in a given portion of the field, 

 the best method is to localize them, thus saving the 

 remaining crop. The plan consists in the digging of 

 a trench several feet in depth, filling the same with 

 dried leaves ; this will form an obstruction that they 

 can never overcome. This plan is good in Germany, 

 where labor is much less than in America. We con- 

 sider one of the best methods is to render the soil 

 compact, not sufficiently so to prevent the growth of 

 the root, but yet causing the worm to perish, as it 

 requires more or less space to move. Some farmers 

 have told us from time to time that the use of lime 

 mixed with water will be an advantage to the plant 

 and destroy its enemy. Some authors have also con- 

 tended that during the great heat of the summer or 

 during heavy rains the greater number of these worms 

 die. "We do not consider this a fact, as under these 

 conditions they dig deeper, and are thus sheltered from 

 all atmospheric changes. 



Uses of the Melolontha Vulgaris. — It can be easily 

 understood that from time to time the chemist as well 

 as the farmer has made efforts to utilize in some 

 manner the large number of beetles gathered, and the 

 result obtained has been highly satisfactory. 



In Hungary the problem was solved some thirty 

 years ago, consisting in the manufacture of an oily 

 substance, utilized for lubricating carriage axles. Then 

 again in France, Mr. Breard made from them a good 

 lamp oil. 



