31 
;der specially unfavorable circumstances, the loss clue to the in- 
,.t may amount to from one-fourtli to one-half or even three-fourths 
the crop, but when the conditions are generally favorable, it rarely 
ounts to more than ten or twenty per cent., and frequently even 
less. Although the roots penetrated by the larva; die and decay, 
•ifty corn will throw out new ones to replace those lost, and this 
most likely to occur in moist, rich ground and in wet seasons, 
e damage is therefore greatest on high ground and in dry weather, 
\ the use of manure will palliate, but not wholly obviate the 
ury. 
So natural enemy of this insect has yet been discovered, nor is 
Iything known to indicate that changes of the weather have any 
ions effect upon it. 
^s the results of numerous observations and comparisons, it is 
in that little or no mischief is done except in fields that have 
n in corn during the year or two preceding, and a frequent 
mge of crops is therefore a complete preventive. Beyond this the 
history of the insect gives us little present hope of fighting it 
E sctively, except at too great expense, as the eggs and worms are 
ttered and hidden in the ground, and the perfect beetle is widely 
! ' persed throughout the field. Experiments will be instituted at 
earliest possible day with a view to determining whether some 
tilizer whose value to the crop will pay for its use may not have 
destructive effect either upon the egg or the larva in the ground, but 
pil such experiments are made and verified, intelligent rotation of 
ps must remain our sole effective resource against this most 
, eatening and destructive insect. 
