THE DESTRUCTIVE PEST.

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 147, 9 June 1892, Page 2

THE DESTRUCTIVE PEST.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR. Sir— The grub referred to by Mr Cunningham, and in your leader of the 7th inst., is no new pest in this district. lam aware, to my cost, of its destructive properties, having lost nearly the whole of a cultivation two years in succession. As I have successfully corabatted with the pest, as far as the above cultivation is concerned, I will venture to give my experience for the benefit of anyone who will think worth while to try for themselves. In the case of cultiyated land several rollings after sowing the crop is all that is required. This plan I adopted, and have seen very little sign of the pest since. The fact that these grubs are never found in hard land, but only on light sandy soils, shows they are not able to work in hard ground Close hurdling sheep I also think would have the desired effect. Salt, and also lime, sown on the patches where they are at work will also exterminate them, as I have tried both with success, but it is expensive. I also have found that pigs will root for and destroy them. I have numerous patches rooted tip, which I intend sowing again in the spring, and although it does not look well to have pig rootings all over your paddock it is better than having all your grass destsoyed by an obnoxious grub, whatever its name may be or wherever it comes from. I have noticed it destroys rye grass less than any other under my observation, I am, &c, W. B. Retemeyer.