19 
EEMEDIES. 
/ 
1. Drainage. 
Many gardens and orchards are badly located on soils partly satu- 
rated with water, either at the margins of rivers or lakes or on rich de- 
posits of vegetable remains both low and damp. 
The reasons for this choice are generally the superior quality of the 
laud and the rapidity of growth induced by the moisture, but in the 
territory infected by the Anguillula the heat and rich soil cause precisely 
the looseness of tissue so favorable to the spread of the worms. 
A dry soil, with solid root-growth, is on the contrary unfavorable; 
hence in many locations drainage has entirely changed the character of 
the land, so that peaches and figs grow where they would not before. 
Experiments in Texas confirm this fully and suggest the utility of 
thorough drainage of wet locations, or, better yet, the avoidance of such 
places for groves and gardens. 
In this connection it may be remarked as one of the not expected 
results of the u New Agriculture” in maintaining a permanently damp 
soil by means of water-pipes below the surface, that when it is in vogue 
we will have not only a great increase of crops but a greater increase 
of u root-knot” iu the cabbages, beets, radishes, etc., thus grown. What 
effect the ingestion of Anguillulse will have upon the human economy 
remains to be seen; as, so far as I know, no record occurs of experiments 
having been tried to ascertain. (Note 10.) 
2. Frost. 
In many places north of 29° there is cold enough each year to at 
times freeze the surface a considerable depth. Where this occurs, by 
plowing the soil at the beginning of winter and at times during that 
season, it is reasonable to suppose great destruction of the free Anguil- 
luke will ensue. 
3. Fire. 
The value of heat in the destruction of the germs of the root-knot 
has been often demonstrated in Florida, usually unwittingly, and the 
lesson taught has been in a measure lost. 
In clearing old fields, badly infected with the worms, as shown by the 
crops of cotton or peas, it is customary to burn log heaps and stumps ; 
if, then, peaches and figs have been planted on this burned land the 
result has been freedom from root-knot for a series of years. 
Such trees make a vigorous growth and bear well, while adjacent 
trees, not on burned ground, wither and die. 
It would seem practicable in this wooded section to easily build small 
compact heaps of chips, wood, pine knots, even dry weeds and grass, 
over tbe area of say 2 feet radius from each tree-stake prior to plaut- 
