86 
purpose of ridding the land of them, but where the land that is in¬ 
tended for spring planting has been covered during the summer and 
fall with a growth of such vegetation as they relish, the season being 
favorable, there they may be expected in the spring. The reason is, 
that most of the species deposit the eggs from which the worms aro 
produced in the latter part of summer or fall, and they feed upon this 
rank vegetation till the cold fall and winter weather alike kills the 
vegetation and numbs the worms when they are from a half to two- 
thirds grown. Instinct impels the parent moth to deposit the eggs 
where the necessary food will be at hand for the young when hatched , 
and for this reason lands that are comparatively free from vegetation, 
during that season will be usually free from Cut-worms the following 
spring. It might be added here that nearly all writers concur in the 
opinion that fall plowing is one of the most effective meansof destroy¬ 
ing Cut-w r orms. Dr. Harris recommends it, though with some doubt. 
Dr. Fitch repeats it in his valuable report. The newspapers have, 
with few exceptions, told the same story ; but in the latter we some¬ 
times come across an exception, as the following from the January 
number, 1852, of the Prairie Farmer. The writer says: “There is an 
idea abroad that late fall plowing destroys several species of insects by 
freezing. Among these are the varieties of the Cut-worm. So far as 
this worm is concerned, we believe the idea to be a mistaken one, 
since he does descend below the frost for his winter quarters, but may 
be found, while the ground is yet frozen in the spring, within an inch 
or two of the surface. Were he to be turned absolutely out of the 
soil and subjected to the cold of winter it might be fatal to him; but 
fall plowing will do this to very few indeed, however plenty they may 
be in the ground. Indeed, we rather suppose that the majority of 
them would be buried much deeper in the earth than would other¬ 
wise be the case. Does, then, fall plowing do no good in destroying 
them? it may be asked. It certainly does if it destroys their food, for 
as soon as the ground becomes warm in the spring they begin to wake 
up and eat. But if there is nothing for them to live upon they must 
die. For this cause plowing may destroy them.' 5 
Another writer in the February number, 1853, of the same journal 
says, after speaking of some other points: “Others plow them up in. 
the fall with a view to freeze them out, not thinking that they will 
bear cold like Esquimaux.” 
There is some truth in both of these statements. It is not claimed 
here that by plowing them out the Cut-worms are subjected to any 
more cold, for it is not claimed that cold alone will kill them. By 
cutting into the frozen soil under a clump of grass, various kinds of 
insects will be found where the ground is frozen several inches below 
them. This will be noticed, however, the grubs, caterpillars and chry¬ 
salids will each be enclosed in a cell of the dirt, so that there is a 
space around the worm and the worm itself is clean and free, from 
dirt. While the soil is frozen these retain their shape so distinctly 
that there is no mistaking it, even if there might be at other times. 
In this condition it is evident that freezing does not injure them, 
for nature has prepared them for it the same as it has many other 
animals. But my experience is that if these same caterpillars, or 
chrysalids, be taken and mixed up with loose dirt, moist enough to 
stick to them, and then subjected to freezing, it proves fatal to them. 
