Report  on  Wireworm.  115 
seed  was  drilled  either  roll  well  or  tread  with  sheep  to  well  consolidate  the 
ground. 
“ Another  system  I have  adopted  is  to  plough  the  clover  lea  early,  and  get 
a crop  of  rape  or  mustard.  Feed  it  off  for  sheep,  and  then  plough  again  for 
wheat.  This  method  I have  found  a great  preventive  for  wireworms,  but  at 
the  same  time,  by  the  early  ploughing,  some  part  of  the  summer  feed  is 
sacrificed. 
“ Richard  Pullen,  Standeford,  Wolverhampton." 
“ Wireworms  are  most  plentiful  on  land  that  has  lain  long  fallow,  and  from 
old  pastures,  or  from  clover  ley.  The  methods  of  prevention  in  treating 
clover  ley  are  judicious  fallowing  and  such  a thorough  burning  of  rubbish  as 
will  destroy  the  eggs  and  grubs.  Heavy  rolling  and  bush-harrowing  will 
destroy  many  of  them. 
“ Ploughing  the  surface  two  inches  deep  with  a breast  plough,  the  turf 
being  burnt  or  allowed  to  die,  is  recommended. 
“ John  Sutherland,  Berridale,  Caithness.” 
“ This  year  I have  a splendid  crop  of  oats  on  very  old  lea.  I used  an 
American  Prairie  plough,  with  revolving  mould  board,  which  brings  up  the 
subsoil  to  the  surface.  This  made  the  ground  easily  broken  down,  and  almost 
covered  the  sods.  I then  sowed  with  fine  rape  meal  and  oats  mixed  in  the 
hopper,  and  the  crop  promises  to  be  earlier  than  any  sown  at  the  same  time. 
“ Charles  Littlebot,  Straffan,  Kildare'' 
“ The  field  now  in  work  for  wheat  after  mowing  clover  twice  is  ploughed 
deep,  then  is  harrowed  well  so  as  to  make  the  land  solid,  and  keep  a good 
tilth  for  seed.  Lime  is  applied  at  the  rate  of  4 tons  per  acre,  worked  in  with 
the  large  harrow,  and  the  land  is  sown  as  solid  as  possible.  This  produces 
me  the  best  crop,  as  the  action  of  the  lime  converts  the  turf  into  suitable  soil 
for  wheat. 
“ J.  Prince,  Foston,  Derby.” 
“ In  breaking  up  old  sainfoin  I sow  about  5 cwt.  of  salt  to  the  acre  before 
ploughing  it,  and  let  it  lie  and  get  quite  stale  before  planting.  If  I find  any 
wireworms  I well  press  it. 
“ Jas.  Bulford,  Eordley.” 
“Salt  sown  at  the  rate  of  about  8 cwt.  per  acre  on  grass  land  before 
ploughing  for  a crop  is  recommended  as  a preventive  of  wireworm.  Gas- 
lime  at  the  rate  of  about  15  tons  per  acre  spread  on  turf  or  seeds  before 
ploughing  has  been  found  a certain  cure,  and  soot  sown  before  ploughing  or 
after  sowing  is  a good  preventive,  and  promotes  growth,  especially  for  wheat. 
“ Per  J.  Craig,  Shifnal,  Salop.” 
“ I believe  that  the  best  method  to  get  rid  of  the  wireworm  from  pastures  is 
to  apply  a good  coat  of  lime  on  the  surface.  An  effectual  plan  is  to  plough  up 
any  laud  subject  to  the  wireworm  and  mix  the  lime  in  the  soil,  say  at  the  rate 
of  6 tons  per  acre,  after  which  a crop  of  turnips  should  be  grown,  and  eaten 
off  the  ground  by  sheep  hurdled  up  in  pens.  I have  never  seen  that  course  a 
failure. 
“ Owen  Price,  Xantyrhain,  Brecon 
