26 
CORN AND GRASS. 
From these Mr. Lowe selected a number for the following experi¬ 
ments, with a view of ascertaining whether the various applications 
were of service beyond stimulating the crop to a more rapid growth. 
A few of the grubs were covered respectively with quicklime, soot, 
household salt, and superphosphate. These were secured, as they 
crawled away from the applications, for further investigation. Others 
were placed in earth mixed with one-fourth of white arsenic; and in 
twelve hours only those which had been in the arsenic appeared at all 
the worse, and even these recovered before the following day.* 
Brine was tried at a strength of one pound of salt to a quart of 
water, and the grubs dropped into it died in a short time; those on 
which the brine was merely poured were none the worse. 
Nitrate of soda, however, gave different results. The grubs that 
were placed in it were apparently dead in three hours. 
“ Mixing nitrate of soda with a considerable quantity of earth had 
the same effect; the grubs were to all appearance killed pretty quickly, 
both large and small ones.” Likewise, “ A weak solution of nitrate 
of soda poured upon soil containing a large quantity of the grubs, 
likewise to all appearance killed the whole of them.” 
Mr. Lowe observes :—“ So far I think that where the larva of the 
Daddy Longlegs are suspected, it would certainly give good results 
(for roots ) to mix nitrate of soda with farmyard manure, turning twice. 
Later in the year Mr. Lowe went over his experiments again, and 
verified the point that salt, lime, soot, and superphosphate did not 
inconvenience them; but with regard to those treated with nitrate of 
soda, though they appeared to be dead, yet placed in damp.soil they 
recovered, and in a few days were as vigorous as the others. 
From this second experiment it is open to doubt whether the grubs 
which appeared dead after treatment were so or not; but, looking at Mr. 
Lowe’s note that those which recovered did so “ after being placed in 
damp soil,” I certainly think that his experiment greatly confirms the 
value of nitrate of soda as a direct deterrent to the grub, as well 
as stimulant to the crop. 
It is shown that the presence of this application, whether mixed 
with the soil or in solution as a watering, has a direct ill-effect on the 
grub (which I can confirm from having seen it void its contents when 
dropped into the nitrate); and here, I think, we may rest on three 
useful points. The nitrate is beneficial to the plant; it is also hurtful 
to the grub ; and, even if it only makes the soil affected distasteful, we 
get benefit by driving the creatures partially away. 
Further, Mr. Lowe, to try the effect in ordinary circumstances, 
* Some of the grubs that had been covered respectively with salt, quicklime, and 
soot were placed in bottles with partially rotted leaves and sprouted grain, and were 
developed in due course to flies. 
