THE SECKETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 437 



services as this surely ouglit to be recognized, and such a servant accommodated, 

 with both board and lodging in the garden. No animal is less offensive or 

 minds his own business move closely. Tliis valuable habit may perhaps be 

 considered as 'Hhe jewel" wliich tlie toad has been said to carry in his head. 

 The toad is one of our valued assistants, and should by all means be encour- 

 aged. The common idea that to touch a toad will produce warts upon the 

 hand is unfounded. It is in no way disagreeable except to dogs, wliich desire to 

 try their teeth upon it. In this case an acrid juice exudes from the skin, v.-hich 

 is disagreeable to the dog, but not injurious. 



SINGULAR TROPERTY OF TOMATO LEAVES. 



'•'I planted a peach orchard," Avrites M. Siroy, of the Society of Horticul- 

 ture, Valparaiso, " and the trees grew well and strongly. They had just com- 

 menced to bud when they were invaded by the curculio, which insects were 

 followed, as frequently happens by ants. The idea occurred to me that by placing 

 some of the leaves around the trunks and branches of peach trees, I might pre- 

 serve them from the rays of the sun, which were very powerful. My surprise 

 was great upon the following day to find the trees entirely freed, from their 

 enemies ; not one remained. These leaves I carefully unrolled, placing upon 

 them fresh ones from the tomato vines, with the result of banishing the last 

 insect and enabling the trees to grow with luxuriance. Wishing to carry still 

 farther my experiment, I steeped in Avater some fresh leaves of the tomato, and 

 sprinkled Avith this infusion other plants, roses and oranges. In two days 

 these were also free from the innumerable insects which covered them, and 

 I felt sure that, had I used the same means with my melon patch, I should have 

 met the same result. I therefore deem it a duty I owe to the Society of Horti- 

 culture to make known this singular and useful property of tomato leaves. 



SLUGS AND FRUIT TREES. 



We notice that farmers as a rule seem to care very little for the slugs that 

 defoliate their young pear trees. The leaves disappear so gradually that, know- 

 ing that the trees tliemselves are not immediately harmed, the slugs are not 

 disturbed. But the injury they v^'ork is not the less real, though gradual. The 

 functions of a tree cannot be performed without leaves. Its vitality is weak- 

 ened, and this debilitated condition invites insects and diseases which otherwise 

 would never attack it. The fruiting period of young trees is greatly deferred 

 also by the depredations of slugs, though possibly in older specimens it might 

 be hastened, — especially when the tree is over-vigorous. In young trees the 

 los.5 of leaves retards the development of fruit spurs, — and the second growth 

 of leaves is generally too late to mature plump and healthy buds. The next 

 spring's growth will be found to be emphatically cliecked ; and, if slugs are 

 then unmolested, the young tree will have experienced so severe an injury that, 

 in spite of the best after-care, it will never again be restored to its wonted 



