8 
NOTES OF OBSERVATIONS 
shire, the Wireworm did considerable damage both to Barley and 
Wheat, so much so as to necessitate re-sowing in the case of one field 
of Barley. He mentions the only remedy that he is aware of being 
early pressure of the ground, so as to prevent the Wireworms passing 
from one plant to another; but in this season (1880), owing to the 
very dry state of the soil after March, the land would not compress 
sufficiently for this purpose. The loss on twenty-five acres, estimated 
rather below than above the mark, was T75. Mr. Hart mentions that 
he first found the Wireworms troublesome on May 7tli, in Wheat and 
Barley, on his ground at Kingsnorth, Kent. As soon as practicable 
he put a heavy roller on the Wheat, and trod the Barley with young 
sheep (tegs); this prevented the “worms” from running; but the 
weather being cold and dry the plant made no progress, and by the 
18th the Wireworm was as busy as ever in the Wheat. Harrowing 
and rolling were again resorted to, and the worm kept from spreading, 
but not before it had seriously thinned the plant in patches. One 
piece of Wheat was so severely eaten that it was ploughed up; after 
working and pressing the ground well it was re-sown with Oats. But 
the Wireworm was still there : the attack recommenced, and eventually 
the Oats also were ploughed up, and the land re-sown with roots. The 
Barley fared better, “ probably from the earth being loose and more 
easily compressed.” Mr. Freestone, writing from the Manor Park, 
Little Ilford, notices the Wireworms as “less troublesome, in conse¬ 
quence of the largest quantity of Moles we have ever had, being nearly 
over-run with them, even taking up their abode in the Cucumber 
frames.” Mr. Sym Scott writes that at Ballinacourte, Tipperary, he 
has not seen any Wireworm ; although a field of Oats followed on very 
old lea, and the farm comprehended a variety of soil and situation, 
there was no trace of damage. Mr. Scott advocates top-dressing 
meadows early in autumn, brushing the surface with a moss harrow, 
or heavy brush-harrow, and rolling as a means of destroying the egg 
of the Beetle, and consequently the Wireworm. Hr. R. J. Mahoney, 
of Dromore Castle, Kenmare, Kerry, mentions that he has used salt 
as a preventive for the Wireworm with considerable success. Mr. J. 
Kennedy, writing from the Lodge, Lake Cara, on the West of Kerry, 
mentions the mild climate as very favourable to insect life. Much of 
the occupation of the neighbourhood is cutting peat; and Mr. Kennedy 
mentions that the water in the pits drives the Wireworm to the top of 
the ridges, where they can be rolled. A stone roller is used for this 
purpose. At Glenarm, Co. Antrim, Mr. Brunton makes no mention 
of Wireworm attack this season. 
