220 



Insect, Fungous and other Pests. 



[JULY, 



worm, and it is probable that this is responsible for the 

 damage clone to the rhubarb. These worms, which are 

 almost transparent, belong to the family of Oligochoete worms, 

 to which the ordinary earthworm also belongs. The section of 

 the family known as Enchytraeidce numbers in it some fifty 

 -species, all small in size, none measuring more than one inch, 

 this large size being exceptional. Some live on land and others 

 are aquatic, while yet others can adapt themselves to both an 

 aquatic and a terrestrial life. Certain species are parasitic on 

 plants, and have on occasion proved very harmful. They can 

 be introduced in composts of road-scrapings and decaying 

 leaves. The worms live below the skin of the attacked plant 

 and tunnel in the root and stem. The records chronicle 

 attacks on celery, swedes, cabbage and a number of garden 

 plants, the infested plants in many cases rotting away. In 

 the matter of treatment it may be said : — (i) That lime has 

 been used with advantage, the soil being watered with the water 

 strained away after mixing quicklime and water in the pro- 

 portion of i lb. to i gallon. (2) Theobald has recommended 

 watering with a mixture of 1 oz. of corrosive sublimate to 

 6 gallons of water (corrosive sublimate is a dangerous poison, 

 and used in the strength named is powerful enough to kill the 

 •ordinary earthworm). (3) Bisulphide of carbon injected in 

 the soil would kill the worms, but the liquid might harm the 

 plants if it reached them, and should therefore only be used in 

 the case of infested road-scrapings, &c, before use. (4) In a case 

 mentioned by Carpenter in Ireland a dressing of agricultural salt 

 (1 ton to the acre) practically eliminated Enchytraeid worms. 



Red Spider— Specimens of gooseberry bushes infested with 

 red spider have been received during the month from Maidstone, 

 Bath, Chislehurst and Haslemere. This pest is dealt with in 

 .Leaflet No. 41. 



Aphides.— Green fly, aphides or plant lice on gooseberries 

 were sent from Chislehurst, Haslemere, Isleworth and West- 

 bury (Wilts) ; these insects are dealt with in Leaflet No. 104. 



A correspondent in Liverpool inquired as to a remedy for 

 black fly on beans. It may be remarked that the attack of 

 bean aphides may be largely prevented or mitigated by pinching 

 off the tops of the plants, which are the parts chiefly infested. 

 This should be done early and the tops destroyed by burning 

 or by covering them with lime. 



