however, is not to hum llie sulphur, as is practised by many pavdciiers with cer- 

 tain destruction to their jjlants, but simply to volatilize it, and if this is done in a 

 damp atmosphere, the red spider cannot stand aji:ainst it. It is diilicult, however, 

 to ret!:ulate matters nicely ; the best remedy, therefore, is prevention rather than 

 cure." Unfortunately, however, melons (which are peculiarly lialjle to be allecteil), 

 require, in certain staij^es of growth, a dry atmosphere, which favors the develoj)- 

 ment of the red spider, while it prevents or checks caidcer and mould. Constant 

 syriuf^inj!: appears to be the most effectual means to this eml, l)ut as in other cases 

 of di.>"ease, the very first symptom should be carefully re<]^arded, and the remedy at 

 once employed. When the leaves have once become mottled, they are not in a fit 

 condition to perform their especial functions properly, and even though the syiing- 

 ing should be effectual in preventing any further mischief, it cannot replace the 

 nnliealthy with healthy tissue. Other remedies have been proposed, as strong 

 tobacco smoke, turpentine, bruised laurel leaves, sublimed sulphur, a solution of 

 soft soap; and favorable reports have from time to time been given of all-, but, 

 on the contrary, there have been as many records of failure, so that implicit cou- 

 fideuce cannot be placed in any one of them. 



DESTErcTios OP Ants. — To an infusion of one ounce and a half of sliced quasia wood.s, or 

 shavings, in one quart of boiling -water, add, when cold, about half a pound of honey or 

 molasses. Place small flat saucers, half filled with the sweetened mixture, with short straws 

 floated upon it, in difi'erent parts of the garden or conservatory, under shelter from the rain, 

 and in such position as may facilitate the approach of the ants. These little creatures will 

 soon discover the traps, the contents of which they greedily devour, despite the intense 

 bitterness. The destructive qualities may be increased by the addition of about half an 

 ounce of ferrocyanate of potash. Bee-keepers alone need be cautious of their stocks, for it 

 is equally fatal to this kindred tribe of useful insects ; but the danger may be avoided by 

 a gauze or net covering to each saucer, with meshes wide enough to admit the intended 

 victims, or a close-sieve may be used to cover the traps. To prevent them climbing trees, 

 nothing is better than a ring of gas tar round the stem, -which eflfectually prevents their 

 mounting. 



To DESTROY Worms ox Grass Lawns, etc. — Of the many methods which have been recom- 

 mended for destroying -worms, corrosive sublimate is the most efficacious. By means of it, 

 may be cleared a piece of grass from which it seemed almost impossible to eradicate the 

 -worms the surface of it being always covered with casts, and looked most untidy ; but for 

 eighteen months after this was applied, scarcely a single cast was to be seen. Use the 

 solution of the corrosive sublimate of the strength of one ounce to forty gallons of water, 

 having dissolved the sublimate first in a little hot water, and thoroughly mixed it. The 

 requisite quantity of each being prepared, the whole should be well stirred together, and 

 ommencing at one end of the lawn with the watering-pot, without a rose, let the surface 

 be entirely flooded ; if any part of the ground is missed, the grass will soon be as bad as 

 ever with the worm-casts. Directly after the solution has been applied, the worms will 

 make their appearance, which have always picked up. The dose may be made sufficiently 

 strong to kill them on the surface, or even in the ground ; but this is attended with danger 

 to the grass, particularly on light soils. Picking them up is the best. If possible, the ground 

 should be gone over a second time, after an interval of three or four days. Attention should 

 also be jjaid to the state of the ground, which should neither be soaked with rain nor parched 

 up with drought, but in a middle state. Great care is at all times necessary in using this 

 f poison. It is also useful in destroying slugs, etc. 



