56 
CORN AND GRASS. 
We are greatly troubled by Rooks and Larks, and they generally 
are the first to draw attention to the damage. It is impossible to 
detect the damage till some time after the Wireworm has been at 
work, then, though the young corn may appear healthy, the heart or 
central shoot will be found turning slightly yellow, and if pulled easily 
comes away. 
Various measures of prevention are advocated, as hard rolling, 
gas-lime sown at the same time as the seed, or a top dressing of soot, 
salt, or superphosphate when the young corn is able to stand an after¬ 
rolling. All these methods will no doubt tend to counteract injury 
from the Wireworm by increasing the crop, but I do not think that 
they in any way destroy the Wireworm. 
I am of opinion that when frost sets in the Wireworm goes down, 
and returns again when the weather changes. I have noticed when 
Isle of Man. 
Parish of 
Observer. 
Crop Injured and 
Nature of Crop 
preceding. 
Nature of Soil. 
Manure and 
Preparation of 
Land. 
Date of Sowing 
and Weather at 
Time. 
Leyzayre .. 
I. 
Oats and Wheat 
slightly injured. 
Previous crops, 
Grass and Tur¬ 
nips. 
Wireworm most 
active on light 
soils. 
Lime in a quick 
state laid on 
lea destroys 
the larvae. 
• • • • 
II. 
Some injury to 
Wheat and Oats. 
Previous crops, 
Grass and Green 
crops. 
Gravelly loam. 
• • • • 
Spring sown 
crops suffered 
most. Ordi¬ 
nary weather. 
III. 
No injury .. 
Turf and light 
and hilly soil. 
Loose soil 
more subject 
to attack. 
Lime, farm-yard, 
and patent 
manure. 
Wheat, end of 
Dec.; Oats, 
March; Bar¬ 
ley, April; 
Green crops, 
May and June. 
IV. 
1. Oats after Green 
crop much in¬ 
jured; 2, Lea 
Oats not touched. 
1. Light soil on 
hill. 
2. Rather strong 
earthy soil on 
lowland. 
1. Only patent 
and limed in 
lea. 
.2. Patent and 
farm-yard. 
1. Latter end of 
March (pretty 
dry). 
2. 5th of April. 
Kirk Bride 
I. 
No loss through 
attack. 
Light soil 
No difference in 
preparation 
between in¬ 
jured and un¬ 
injured. 
Wheat in Nov., 
weather dry. 
Uninjured 
crop in Jan., 
weather dry. 
