WISE WORM AND CLICK BEETLE. 
23 
season, yet that the crops have suffered less than was threatened, and 
notes of serious damage have only been returned from a few districts. 
Therefore, injury not being prevalent, few estimates have been given ; 
the following communications, however, give some idea of the power 
of the Wireworm when present in the crops. 
Estimates and Notes of Amount of Injury. 
The extent of injury and money loss from Wireworm is difficult to 
assess, but on my farm of 1000 acres (Old Alresford, Hampshire), I 
do not think I shall be far wrong if I value the loss from Wireworm, 
on 850 acres of Corn, in an average of seasons,.at not less than £2 
per acre, or £700 per annum, There is also much damage to the 
root crops, causing further loss from the poorer condition of the crops, 
owing to the less time the sheep are on the land. I am sure the loss 
on most Hampshire and South Wilts farms is quite equal to the rent. 
My chief experience of losses caused by Wireworm was whilst 
farming in the parish of Old Alresford, Hampshire, the damage done 
in this county (Gloucestershire, neighbourhood of Cirencester) being 
nothing to compare to that on the light chalky soils of the southern 
counties. Sainfoin being one of the best crops for such soils, 
together with old leys, a large proportion of the land is taken up with 
them, and being the breeding-places of the Wireworms for years 
together, naturally, on breaking them up the succeeding crops suffer 
much.—(T. E. Hulbert, North Cerney, Cirencester.) 
Concerning damage from Wireworm on a field of 15 acres, the 
first crop injured was of Turnips, which were worth at the least £6 
per acre; and half the crop was destroyed by the Wireworm, which 
would make the loss £45, exclusive of labour. Last year (1881), it 
had Wheat grown upon it which ought to have been 10 bags to the 
acre (72 lbs. to the bushel); instead it was only 2 bags ; so consider 
the loss to be 8 bags at £1 Is. per bag, which would be £126. 
The consuming price of a ton of straw lost per acre would be 
about £1, or loss on this item on 15 acres, £15. 
Total during two years would thus amount to— 
Loss on Turnips ..... £45 
„ Wheat.£126 
,, Straw £1^ 
Total . £186 
(J. Heatley, Passingham.) 
I have a 9-acre field of light, sound, gravelly soil, rich and good, 
which is very full of Wireworms. The injury done is very serious, 
being about 5 bushels per acre in the patches where it is taken,— 
(J. Prince, Foston, Derby.) 
