132 
ANNUAL REPORT OP NEW YORK 
ttir 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
W. C. Watson writes us from 
Port Kent, September ith, 1865. 
Col. B. P. Johnson: 
M 3 ' Dear Sir—I have just been looking' over } T our last volume, and am 
happy to notice that the high character of the series is, if possible, more 
than maintained. I read with the usual instruction and pleasure they 
afford the admirable paper of Dr. Fitch. I unfortunately have not the 
honor of a personal acquaintance with him, and, therefore, present to you 
one or two facts recalled to my mind by the views he advances and the 
results of his observation. I have for many seasons practiced on the theory 
of Dr. Fitch, in warring upon the cut-worm, etc. I am full}' satisfied of 
the 1 valuable effects of fall plowing, by disturbing and exposing their larva3, 
eggs, etc. My course has been to plow for that purpose the very latest 
period possible before the permanent closing of the ground by frosts. Of 
late }’ears I have adopted a plan which I think still more effective. I have 
noticed that almost invariably sands and other light soils open and are 
sufficiently freed from frost and moisture to admit plowing early in the 
spring, and that this term is followed by severe cold that entirely and 
rigorously freezes the earth. I have conjectured and acted on the idea that 
this period affords the most certain occasion by plowing to destroy worms 
and insects lying in the soil. Of course the system cannot be pursued on 
damp and heavy lands. 
A vear or two ago I observed an assault upon a monster cut-worm, which 
may prove that he has other enemies than those enumerated by the doctor. 
The rencontre might have been a "chance medley,” rather than an attack 
in regular and legitimate warfare. As it occurred in the daylight upon 
the surface, I thought perhaps that the worm had been pursued into his 
hiding place and driven out by his enemy. I first noticed the worm making 
great progress, and in evident alarm, pursued by a black ant, which, at 
every opportunity, would fasten upon the worm with its jaws; he would then 
quicken his pace and shake the ant off, sometimes thrusting him away with 
his nose. This contest continued some minutes, and I thought the worm 
must effect his escape, when the attention of three or four other ants, which 
were at some distance, were attracted to the scene; they appeared at once 
inflamed by the greatest fury and excitement, and rushed upon the worm, 
fixing their fangs into different parts of his body. His agony and alarm 
were terrific; he writhed in his pain; his body was perfectly contorted in 
his convulsions, rolling over and over in his paroxysms, and even raising 
to his full length and throwing himself backward as if in the hope of crush¬ 
ing his enemies. I never witnessed such a spectacle of apparent suffering 
in an animal, and without waiting the result of I'oulravce, I, in mercy, 
killed the worm. I afterwards observed that the body had disappeared; I 
had forgotten the incident until its memory was revived by the article of 
