THE GRASS GRUB.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7866, 31 July 1911, Page 2

THE GRASS GRUB.

NO REMEDY YET KNOWN. Farmers upon whoso properties the grass grub (Odontria Zealaudica) may j have appeared will bo interested to road the following circular, which has been issued by tho Government Biologist:— . . “Unfortunately, no means is yet known for the thorough control of the grass grub. The Now Zealand species is almost identical with the grub which is working such havoc in America —the whito grub. In their attempts to discover a means of controlling this pest, tho American Government have spent many thousands of pounds without obtaining a satisfactory remedy. *' In New Zealand the is always worst in light lands, whore it does an immense amount of damage, and the only thing we have found to bo of any good is to encourage tho starlings as much as possible. "On lawns, tho grubs may bo controlled by tho use'of heavy rollers just about dusk and in; the early morning, or, if it is possible, by flooding tho ground. Carbon bisulphide may also be used for lawns; this, however, is rather an expensive method. iiolee 31 inches deep should bo made at distances of two feet apart, and into each, one ounce of Carbon, bisulphide should be passed. Tho holes should then, bo covered over. A 'dibber* made from an old spade handle will facilitate tho making of the holes. "Messrs Strawson and Co., London, make a patent mixture known as •'Vaporite/ which is claimed to kill all underground insects, such as wire-worms and beetle larvae. I recently had an opportunity of seeing a trial of this preparation made,' and the results, though not entirely satisfactory, showed promise. If the r Vaporito* were applied in a liberal manner, doubtless it would bo of considerable value in keeping down this pest. "On ordinary pasture land nothing is known either in America or here that will control the pest, but, encouraging the starlings, and liberal dressing with salt, or better still, with kainit, will greatly lessen the attack. One fact well known and worthy of notice is that, as affected land becomes consolidated, so tho grass grub decreases.**