II2 
severely attacked. Spraying is useless when the Insects 
are in the flowers as it does not reach them in that situa- 
tion. When they feed openly on the pods in large num- 
bers, spraying by means of contact insecticides is then 
likely to be effective. A mixture of 1 lb. soft soap in 
1o gallons of water is a cheap remedy and worthy of a 
trial, or better still 3 lbs. tobacco powder (or 1 Ib. of Voss’ 
tobacco extract), $ lb. soft soap in 10 gallons of water. 
Treatment of the soil during the winter does not offer much 
promise on account of the depth to which the Insect 
descends. : 
Coleoptera or Beetles are characterised by the anterior 
pair of wings being modified to form horny sheaths which 
usually cover the upper side of the abdomen. They are 
exclusively biting in their feeding habits and pass through 
a direct metamorphosis. Wireworms (12) are the larve 
of Click Beetles amily Elateride) and are known to 
attack almost any kind of crop. They are more especially 
pests of the agriculturalist, though tomatoes, strawberries, 
potatoes, and other vegetables are liable to suffer injury 
when grown in gardens or allotments. Three years and 
even more are believed to be spent in the larval stage and, 
owing to their resistant coats, these larve are notoriously 
difficult to destroy, no effective remedy having so far been 
discovered. Lures in the form of slices of potato, carrot, 
or beet buried an inch or more beneath the soil when Wire- 
worms are prevalent, often attracts considerable numbers 
which can then be readily destroyed. The lures should 
be examined twice a week and the spots marked with pegs. 
In bad infestations crude powdered naphthaline dug well 
into the soil in the autumn or early spring is worthy of 
trial. Gas lime, lime, or salt are of very little use. In 
the case of a badly infested potato crop there is no remedy 
beyond digging it up. Infested soil should be well turned 
over, exposed, and broken up. Birds then have easy access 
to the Wireworms and material benefit is often derived by 
adopting this measure. 
