6 
NOTES OF OBSERVATIONS 
of Pea carrying, the Weevils were so abundant that the waggons were 
fairly alive with them. Mr. Loney mentions that at Marchmont, 
Berwickshire, about the 7tli of May, his third sowing of Peas was so 
badly attacked that, although top-dressed with quick-lime and 
watered with gas-water, this had no effect in stopping the ravages, 
and the crop was soon destroyed. The next sowing that vegetated, 
about the 20tli of May, was clear of the Weevil. The Pea Weevil 
did comparatively little damage in the district of Dalkeith. It is 
noted that a dressing of lime or soot given to the Peas, after wetting 
them to make it stick, is an easily applied and generally effective 
means of preventing attack. At Langwell, Caithness, Mr. Sutherland 
uses turf or wood ashes in sowing, and is not much troubled by the 
Pea Weevil. The turf is broken small, and a little is put in the 
drills ; the Peas are then sown, and a little more is placed over them. 
The ashes, which are from trimmings of dry vegetables, weeds, &c., 
are used similarly. Mr. Sutherland notes the importance of new 
seed, and also of a fresh sweet soil. In my garden near Islewortli, 
where the soil is a stiff loam, I have had success from sowing the 
Peas in the drills completely in coal ashes. They are thus in 
favourable circumstances for healthy germination, and there is no 
risk of soil being caked hard, so as to keep down the first shoot; the 
growth is vigorous and hearty, and soon puts the plant beyond the 
power of any common Weevil attack. 
Agriotes lineatus. 
4. Agriotes lineatus. Wireworm. Mr. Fitch mentions the 
Wireworms as far rarer and less destructive than usual this season in 
the neighbourhood of Maldon. Mr. Lyddon also notes them as not 
observable on the chalk and greensand round Warminster, Wilts, and 
ascribes their absence to good cultivation. They are mentioned by 
Mr. Coupar as very numerous in grass fields near Craighall, 
Perthshire. Mr. Loney mentions that the Wireworm was formerly 
very destructive at the gardens, Marchmont, Berwickshire, hut now, 
following on the practice of deep trenching, he is little troubled by it; 
