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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 14

Prevention

Prevention.

One special means of prevention is to make a raid upon the beetles when upon trees in the summer, and in other feeding places. This is done in parts of France, and is called le hannetonage général, and might be performed in England in localities very much subject to incursions of cockchafers. It is such a dangerous and destructive insect that everyone's hand should be against it. Nets like those employed for sparrow catching at night, called bat folding nets, only larger, lighter, and with very small meshes, might be used with advantage. The branches of infested trees being beaten with poles the insects would fly to the light of the lanterns held behind the nets and become entangled in their meshes. Rooks, starlings, and jays are very fond of the beetles, and should on no account be driven from their haunts. These are farmers' friends, and should be encouraged. When they persistently visit fields under crops, or grass land, it may be assumed that there are larvæ or insects in some form or other at work pernicious to the crops, delicious to the birds. Moles, again, are wholesale devourers of the cockchafer grubs. Taschenberg speaks of the great services they render to farmers in this way in Germany; and French entomologists also speak highly of their invaluable benefits. In meadows moles are of great advantage in clearing off these grubs, among many other insects. It is admitted that mole "heaves" are unsightly and interfere much with mowing; but this is a slight disadvantage compared with the amount of good the moles do.

Meadows should be kept well rolled to prevent, if possible, the beetles from getting into the ground to lay eggs.