affecting the Turnips, Corn-crops, ^-c. 
20j 
which invleorated the plants at the same time destroyed the 
insects ; and it is added that the turnips grew so fast that they 
soon got out of the way of the fly (Altica nemorum). 
It is also positively affirmed that if lime and soot be applied to 
the soil before sowing any grain, it will kill the Wireworms. Salt 
likewise, on light sandy soils, is highly efficacious in destroying 
them J and of its effects upon these animals it is in the power of 
every one to convince himself, and also of the strength required 
for their destruction, by dissolving a tea- spoonful or more of 
salt in a tea-cupful of water, with some Wireworms in another, 
half full of pure water, when, by adding the salt water by degrees, 
the e^act effect produced upon the life of the animals will be 
jxscertained ; and the same of course may be done with spirits of 
tar, &c. In alcohol the Wireworms expire in five minutes, but 
spirits of turpentine destroys the vital principle almost instanta- 
neously. It is, however, difficult to kill them by a change of 
temperature, and vet in an artificial state it is extremely diffi- 
cult to rear them. 
As the Wireworms will live upon potatoes — as I can testify by 
having fed them on nothing else for many weeks together — there 
cannot be a better bait to catch them in the flower borders than 
slices of that tuber, as recommended by Sir Joseph Banks, which 
has been fairly tried by a friend in Hants, who tells me it is 
the only method by which he can save his carnations and other 
llowers. I have now before me communications from several 
contributors to the ' Gardeners' Chronicle,' all concurring in re- 
commending slices of potato, &c., as the best mode of freeing 
the garden at least from this troublesome visitor. One of these 
I will transcribe : " I send you an account of destroying the 
Wirewonn, which I have adopted for some years, my ground be- 
ing full of them, so that I could neither grow sweet-williams, 
picotees, bulbs, lettuces, nor indeed any succulent plant, without 
their boring, running up, and eating the hearts out. Near these 
plants 1 now place half a potato, with the eyes cut out to prevent 
its growing, and run a pointed stick through the middle of it, and 
peg it into the ground, covering it over with about an inch of 
mould; and in a day or two I have pulled out by the tall from 15 
to 20 of them from one piece of potatoe." * Slices of turnip, 
brocoli, cabbage, beet-root, parsnip, carrot, apples, and young 
lettuce-plants, will answer the purpose where potatoes are scarce 
or not to be obtained ; and it is very probable, if such vegetables 
were scattered over infested corn-fields, that considerable num- 
bers of the Wireworm would be decoyed to them, and might be 
collected and destroyed ; for it is even recommended by some 
persons to lay the slices of potato on the surface, although there 
* Adan, in Gard. Chron., vol. iii. p. 301. 
