GOOSEBERRY AND CURRANT SAWFLY. 
89 
Twenty Wireworms were then put into the Oats with the rape-cake and 
twenty in the Oats without, and so they were left. The Oats with the 
rape-cake flourished exceedingly compared with those that had none, and 
the former (the rape-cake Oats) were scarcely touched by the Wire- 
worms, while the latter were a good deal injured. This day (May 1st, 
1883) I turned out the rape-box, hoping to find all the Wireworms 
non est, but instead I found everyone looking fat and well.”—‘ Report 
on Injurious Insects,’ 1883, p. 39. 
On January 31st of this year (1884), Mr. Sturdy further reported : 
—“ On looking at the boxes I found that the lot that had Oats to feed 
on became ordinary Click Beetles, but that those that had E. Indian 
rape-cake only were still large and well-to-do-looking Wireworms, and 
so they still remain to this day ” (Jan. 31st). 
“ The result of the experiment is that the rape-cake, instead of 
being poison to the Wireworms, evidently prolongs their destructive 
lifetime. How long they will continue to live and flourish in the 
rape-cake you sent me and water I can at present form no opinion.” 
On May 1st Mr. Sturdy forwarded the completion of his experi¬ 
ment, which is conclusive as to this diet not being necessarily fatal:— 
“ I have now had the remainder of the Wireworms turned out of their 
box. They look fat and well after feeding on nothing but the rape-cake 
you sent me for many months.” 
I do not think we can be absolutely sure that the Wireworm-stage 
is prolonged by the diet of the Indian rape without further experiment, 
although it certainly appears to be the case. The Wireworm being 
very long-lived, it may have occurred that those in the Indian rape 
were somewhat younger ; but the clear evidence from parallel experi¬ 
ments of the Oats manured with the Indian rape being the heartiest 
in growth, and likewise being much less injured by the Wireworms, is 
a very good piece of observation of practical service. 
GOOSEBERRY. 
Gooseberry and Currant Sawfly. Nematus Ribesii , Curtis. 
Mr. W. J. Goodwin, of Winfield House, Crouch, Sevenoaks, notes 
that he considers “ the best remedy for Gooseberry caterpillars is to 
give a liberal sprinkling of fresh good soot early in the morning when 
the trees are damp, two or three large handfuls to a good-sized tree, 
so as to make it quite black with soot. It is of no use unless it is done 
when the trees are damp , so that it sticks on well. If it comes off by 
rain coming shortly after, it must be done again. It acts, of course, as 
