134 
Observations on the varioua Insects 
The western countries of Europe have been threatened with 
famine from their destroying the corn, by devouring the roots, 
especially of that sown in autumn. 
The gardener suffers from their attacks, for they will feed upon 
the roots of various vegetables and floivers. 
As they are forced to feed upon the roots of grass and weeds, 
in the summer, in fields lying fallow or recently sown, it is most 
essential to keep the land clean whilst at rest. 
They pass the winter underground, in earthen cells, and come 
forth to feed again in the early spring. 
In May or June they enter the earth to change to c/irysalides, 
in which they remain about a month. 
Mr. Le Keux found these surface-grubs concealed, by day, 
in btiri'ows 2 or 3 inches deep, into which they draw detached 
leaves. 
Salt and water poured over a turnip-plant, at the rate of a 
J oz. of salt to I quart of water, drove the surface-grub away, but 
it proceeded to another 6 yards off: they can travel well and expe- 
ditiously, especially at night, when the ground is damp. During 
10 days other plants were washed with that solution, and were 
thus preserved ; but, when discontinued, they shared the fate of 
the others. 
Children might readily pick them from the roots with a sharp- 
ened flattish stick, or an oyster-knife. 
Serious attacks of these surface-caterpillars are often to be at- 
tributed to the destruction of the rooks. 
Another, and larger. Surface-caterpillar feeds upon turnij)- 
roo^i', and eats off the crowns: these larvae also injure the roots 
of cabbages, and will devour the leaves. They bury themselves 
very deep ; and are 2 inches long in the autumn : they were in 
the chrysalis state in March. 
The snrface-grnbs are at work almost all the year : in the 
summer they destroy the young plants by eating off the roots near 
the crown ; in the autumn and mild winters they eat large cavities 
in the bulb, which get filled with dirt, and are not good for stock ; 
the iveight is also reduced, and they more readily decay from wet 
and frost. 
Harrowing, ploughing, and working the soil afford the only 
chance of destroying the eggs, and probably the chrysalides. 
Insects thrive best on neglected and slovenly cultivated lands. 
Night-time is the best for applying liquids and powders to de- 
stroy the surface-caterpillars. 
Tobacco-ivater will kill them, if it come in contact with their 
skins. 
Hand-picking by night is universally recommended on the 
Continent. 
