204 
Observations on the various Insects 
Lord Albemarle recommends that when fields intended for 
wheat are attacked by the Wireworms, rape-cake should be used 
as a manure, to be powdered, and sown across the field. If it 
do not destroy the insects, it at least saves the crop from their 
attacks. 
Many other applications have been recommended, and amongst 
them spirits of tar and chloride of lime. One correspondent in 
the 'Gardeners' Chronicle'* says, " Spirits of tar is the most 
effectual remedy with which we are acquainted for destroying the 
Wireworm. We should therefore recommend any one to satu- 
rate some sand with that compound, and mix it with the soil in 
the beds of ranunculus and anemone when they are turned up in 
autumn." J. W. C, j having lost his crops from Wireworms, also 
says, " Thinking that spirits of tar might do good, when I sowed 
dwarf P'rench beans again, before covering-in the rows, I watered 
them with a strong solution of it ; and the result was that they 
came up very strong and healthy, and the produce was enormous, 
whilst the first crop gradually dwindled away, and died a prema- 
ture death." " The refuse lime of gas-works is stated to be effi- 
cacious in banishing these pests from the garden. Previously to 
the crop being planted, a thin covering of the lime should be 
spread over the ground, and it must be well mixed up with the 
soil in digging.";}; F. 11. B. " had been using some chloride-of- 
lime water, and poured it over some grass, when it immediately 
killed the worms. From this success he was induced to try it on 
some very sickly carnations infested with Wireworms, and had the 
satisfaction to find them recover rapidly. The proportion used 
was about a table- spoonful to a pint of water, but that of course 
must depend on the quality of the soil." § It seems necessary to 
employ it with caution, in the flower-garden at least; for in the 
same journal it is asserted, " We have great doubts whether 
chloride of lime, although considerably diluted, would not be 
injurious to picotees, and commit as much havoc amongst them as 
the Wireworm. We recommend you to spread some of the 
refuse lime from the gas-works over the surface of the bed, the 
effluvia of which will probably drive them away." || 
In the .lournal of this Society Mr. Burgess ^| says, "This year 
I applied the nitrate of soda to my wheat, when, froin the wet 
season and tlie Wireworm, the plant was nearly destroyed, and I 
found it particularly beneficial, the Wireworm either being killed 
by the application or forsaking the roots; and c<mscquently I 
think I h.-ivc above an average crop of wheat." The ammonia 
* Vol. iii. p. + Ibid. p. 737. 
:|: Gardeners' CJhronic.le, vol. ii. p. 777. 
Ibid., vol. iii. p. :n8. II Ibid., vol. ii. p. 777. 
^[ Elmluirst, Rucks. Vide Koyal Agiic. Joiirn., vol. ii. p. 132. 
