THE TOMATO MOTH. 51 



these moths there is yet much to be learned, but this 

 would of course necessitate a close study of their habits 

 in the field, our best teacher, and in this connexion I 

 would be grateful for a record of any observations bearing 

 on this important subject from persons living in the 

 country, as by this means much valuable information 

 might be obtained, which would be useful in assisting to 

 combat this and other pests. As a rule, the Noctuidge 

 ftre either dusk or night flyers, and in siicli cases the eggs 

 are likely deposited during these times. According to 

 Professor Comstock, in his splendid book " The Study of 

 Insects," there are more than 1,800 species of this group 

 in North America, north of Mexico. 



Prevention and Remedies. 



As these caterpillars when in cornfields usually 

 travel in the one direction, the trench with perpendicular 

 sides will be found an admirable means of destroying 

 inunense numbers of this pest in caterpillar form, as they 

 fall into the trenches and cannot crawl out again, and a 

 man or boy, with a pair of wooden clogs or stout-soled 

 boots, can in a very short time kill millions of them. 

 When adopting the trench system, supposing the grubs 

 are already in the crop, it must be so arranged that the 

 trenches are placed as near together as possible, as the 

 closer they are the better will be the results. 



When these caterpillars are in orchards or gardens, 

 spraying their food with Paris green — 1 lb. Paris green, 

 6 lbs. lime, diluted with 160 to 180 gallons of water — is 

 certain destruction to every caterpillar eating the leaves 

 of plants so sprayed. 



The excellent plan of laying poisoned baits has been 

 tried here with the most perfect success, larij;e areas of 

 young vines having been saved by this means. Direc- 

 tions : — Take 50 lbs. of bran or pollard, 12 lbs. arsenic, 

 8 lbs. of molasses or treacle, mix well together, and lay 

 pieces here and there throughout the crop. On large cereal 



