86 PAPERS ON CEREAL AND EORAGE INSECTS. 



first symptom of this disease is a small red spot on one of the body 

 segments, usually on the first thoracic or the terminal abdominal 

 segment. This spot enlarges, finally encircling the body, and within 

 a very short time the insect succumbs. This disease was so preva- 

 lent as to interfere with much of Mr. Swenk's experimental work. 



REMEDIAL AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES. 



If a field is well stocked with false wireworms at the time wheat 

 is sown, remedial measures are of little avail, as was demonstrated 

 by our experiments carried out in the Big Bend country of Wash- 

 ington. The insects are well adapted to the present agricultural 

 practices of the spring-wheat growers in the Pacific Xorthwest. 

 Here the plowing of summer-fallow land is commenced as early as 

 possible in the spring, which in the average season is in April. Those 

 who can spare teams and men often commence while the seeding of 

 the crop in other fields is in progress. The most progressive farmers 

 then disk their fallow land in June so that this will be well finished 

 when haying commences. 



By slightly modifying this procedure an enormous number of 

 these beetles would be destroj~ed. Instead of plowing early in 

 the spring and disking in summer, reverse the process. Disk as 

 early as the land can be worked and the apparatus is available, 

 which will usuallv be in April. This will conserve the moisture fullv 

 as well as plowing. Then plow as late as possible ; if the land has been 

 well disked and the men and horses can be spared, it is well to defer 

 this plowing to late July and early August. At this time the beetles 

 are in the pupal, or, as they are commonly called, u white-worm," 

 stage. They can not move through the ground as can the active 

 larvae, but can merely squirm when irritated. The plowing, which 

 should be deep to be effective, turns out great numbers of these 

 pupae, and they are either eaten by birds or killed by the burning 

 sun. Many more are destroyed by being crushed or suffocated in 

 the broken pupal cells. Aside from killing many Eleodes pupae, 

 this practice of late plowing the summer-fallow would greatly aid in 

 weed eradication. The earlv disking would not burv the weed seed 

 to retard germination; all the seed would develop ; then the late plow- 

 ing would destroy the entire crop of weeds. If the weeds start very 

 early, a second disking may be necessary, as weeds very rapidly 

 deprive the soil of its moisture. 



Concerted effort and very thorough work are absolutely essential to 

 render this treatment appreciably effectual. The cooperation of all 

 the farmers over a considerable area is advised, as the adult beetles 

 walk rapidly and will readily reinfest a well-treated ranch, coming in 

 from an adjoining, poorly worked field or pasture. 



