194 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



profits ; that would name and describe every species of the great army of 

 injurious insects, and their onsets, but give the reader no insight into the 

 agencies provided by Providence for checking their undue increase, or 

 speak of the artificial means employed for their destruction, would un- 

 doubtedly be condemned by every lover of vegetables throughout the 

 land ; yet he would be as worthy of credit as the writers of the sugar- 

 coated literature referred to. 



With the exception of the Irish potato crop, the past season — espe- 

 cially throughout the central portion of the State — has been unusually favor- 

 able to the growth of vegetables. In no case, at least within my know- 

 ledge, have insects been so numerous as to seriously threaten the destruc- 

 tion of any crop. The Colorado potato beetle, which has for the past 

 few years proven such a formidable enemy to the potato grower, did not, 

 except in isolated cases, effect any considerable damage. So far as I am 

 aware, there have been no new remedies discovered for the subjugation of 

 this insect ; but the application of Paris green in early spring, before the 

 depositing of eggs has commenced, will be found far more beneficial (by 

 the destruction of the beetles) than if not applied until after the hatching 

 of the larvge, as is generally the case. Paris green will also be found an 

 excellent remedy for the striped cucumber beetle ; but when applied to 

 young vines, it should be carefully mixed with at least twenty times its 

 own bulk of some material of nearly the same Aveight ; as if mixed with a 

 much lighter substance, it will be likely to separate from it, and thus be 

 too strong for the vines, and destroy them. Gypsum is probably the best 

 and most economical article for this purpose, as it is easily passed through 

 an ordinary pepper box, or other similar sifter, and at the same time stim- 

 ulates and strengthens the plants. 



About the tenth of last May, the cut worms began their work in good 

 earnest, and for a time required the careful attention of the gardener to 

 preserve any thing like perfect rows of cabbage or tomato plants. Being 

 nocturnal in their habits, the gardener must use a little strategy in their 

 destruction, or perform the tedious operation of calling upon them at 

 their private residences during the day. If very numerous, they may be 

 captured by placing bits of boards or wads of grass between the plants, 

 under which, as daylight approaches, they gather in large numbers, and 

 may be easily hand-picked and destroyed. If this precaution is not taken, 

 they maybe found a few inches from the root of the destroyed plant, and 

 about an inch below the surface of the ground, enjoying a quiet, peaceful 

 rest. Here the instinct of robin redbreast comes in to our assistance ; 

 and as he hops nimbly over the ground, he easily detects their hiding 

 place, and as coolly as if this was his only earthly mission, drags them 

 from their little beds, and hastily places them where they will do the most 

 good. 



About July loth, the cantharides or blister beetle made its appear- 

 ance, and without stopping to discuss the probability or propriety of eat- 

 ing the Colorado beetle out of house and home, immediately began feed- 

 ing upon our Irish potatoes, tomatoes, and many other varieties of vege- 

 tables. This voracious insect sometimes appears in such numbers as to 



