FLOWER GARDEN PESTS. 
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the surface. Collect and give them to poultry, or place in a 
strong brine pickle. Another gross offender is the Wireworm, 
the larva of the Skip Jack, or Click Beetle. There are 
several species of the latter, but their larvae are of similar 
form and habits. The larvae are cylindrical and wiry, have six 
legs near the head, and a sucker-like foot at the tail. The 
body is of a ruddy yellow colour. These creatures live for 
three or more years in the grub state, and during that period 
attack the roots of Carnations and other plants, gnawing their 
way in and up the stems. Wireworms are easily trapped by 
attaching pieces of carrot or potato to a stick, and 
burying these beneath the surface of the soil. The grubs are 
partial to both, and if the portions are pulled out occasionally 
the former will be found attached. Salt, soot, and similar 
remedies seem to have no effect on the grubs, but experiments 
have proved that Vaporite, forked in at the rate of one 
pound per eight square yards in autumn, will destroy the grubs. 
Many people confuse millepedes with wireworms. The former 
are active creatures furnished with numerous legs, and easily 
distinguished from wireworms, which have few legs, and are 
less active in their habits. Millepedes feed on the roots of 
plants and seeds, but are not so harmful as wireworms. The 
large fat grubs found in the soil when digging are the larvae of 
the Cockchafer Beetle (Melolontha vulgaris). They should 
be picked out by hand aiid given to poultry. They feed 
on the roots of roses and perennials. Grubs of the Heart 
and Dart Moth (Agrotis exclamationis) and the Dart Moth 
(Agrotis segetum) are both destructive to the roots of plants. 
Both are of a dirty grey colour, dotted with black. They feed 
at night only. Search round the base of infested plants by 
day, or sprinkle a little nitrate of soda or soot on the surface 
of the soil. Sometimes the bulbs of narcissi are infested with 
a yellowish, legless maggot. This is the larva of the Narcissus 
Fly. Bulbs known to be infested should be lifted and soaked 
in water for a week or so to drown the grubs. Microscopic 
creatures called Eelworms often infest heavily manured or 
sour garden soils, in which case they find their way into the 
roots and stems of Carnations and Calceolarias, Asters, etc., 
and cause death or disease of the plants. Dressing the soil 
before planting with fresh lime, or ground lime, or Vaporite, 
will usually prevent attack by killing the pesis. Experience 
