State Agricultural Society. 349 



REMEDIES. 



In cold countries, one of the most effectual modes for destroying these 

 pests has been found to be plowing them out during the freezing season, 

 when in a torpid condition and unable to seek protection under the earth 

 until the frost has done its* work. By thus exposing them suddenly to 

 the cold and freezing weather many ol' them are destroj'ed, and the 

 ground rendered comparatively free from them the following season. 

 Gradual freezing, however, in the ground aud in the places selected and 

 prepared by these worms, it has Leon found does them no 'injury. Like 

 many other insects and reptiles, if allowed to freeze gradually with the 

 ground and thaw out gradually undisturbed, they come forth unharmed. 



This remed} r , however, cannot bo rendered effectual in but few of the 

 cultivated portions of California or the Pacific Coast, for the reason that 

 we do not have weather sufficiently cold. When their field of operation 

 is limited, as in small gardens, these worms may be caught and destroyed, 

 by digging from one to two inches deep around the hills of corn, cucum- 

 bers, or other vegetables upon which they are feeding. The best time 

 for this operation is early in the morning, before they have gone far after 

 obtaining their night's meal. 



This remedy is slow and too expensive to be resorted to for field crops. 

 It has been recommended that corn or other seed be soaked in copperas 

 water before planting; but it is doubtful if this is of an}- avail, on account 

 of the rapidity with which the earth absorbs and dispenses the proper- 

 ties of the sulphate. It' any application can be made effectual to prevent 

 the ravages of the cut-worm, it is evident it should be something applied 

 to the parts of the plants upon which they feed — as the tender stem — 

 and that should be applied at the time they are committing their 

 depredations. 



WHALE OIL SOAP 



Has been found a most excellent remedy for all kinds of plant and tree 

 lice, including the Woolly aphis so frequently infesting our apple trees. 

 It is used in solution or suds made by dissolving about a pound of soap 

 to seven gallons of water, and applied by a syringe. 



The efficacy or value of this application is owing in part to the pecu- 

 liar offensiveness of the smell. Why should not this application, made 

 in the same way, prove equall}' efficacious to keep away the cut-worm 

 from the young corn, tomatoes, beans, cabbages, etc.? We hope some 

 or many of our readers will try this experiment. One thing is certain, 

 the application will do any young plant good as a fertilizer, and with a 

 bucket of suds and a syringe it can be applied so rapidly as to render it 

 practicable in the fields as well as iu the gardens. 



