44 



their growth would suddenly wilt and at once give up ; and this Spring this occurred more 

 extensively than ever. I was in diflSculty and could not decipher the cause, as my land I 

 knew was good and well adapted to their successful growth. Upon pulling them up, however, 

 I found that every particle of fibrous root was entirely gnawed otl' ; and be.'^ides this, the bark 

 was taken oflF almost up to the collar, and the tough naked woody branches of the roots only 

 left. This last season I lost whole rows in this way, and, on closely investigating the case, 

 I am pretty well satisfied that the larvas of the May Beetle are ch irgeable with the whole 

 trouble ; and worse, I know of no re.-aedy! The other charges are, eating tbe roots entirely 

 off" from several of our strawberry plants, and also eating large and injurious holes in our 

 potatoes, &c., &c. 



The Hawk Moth, or Sphinges 



are growing annually more numerous, but we have no very grievous complaints to make against 

 the fine and handsome larvae of these beautiful moths. Occasionally, however, the foliage 

 suddenly disappears from some branch of our apple trees or our cherry trees, or it may be 

 from our grapes or our potatoes, or perhaps from tbe tomato vines, and we know from the 

 character and the abundance of the surrounding droppings that one or more of these diligent 

 creatures has been at work. These ravajjes, however, are njt burdensome, and then we rea- 

 dily bear with much from them solely on account of the magnificence and grandeur of their 

 characteristic appearance. About tbe second and third weeks in October last there were a 

 number of fine larvaj discovered among the grass and late growing green plants in this place. 

 They were about two and a half or three inches in length, fine green colour, mixed and 

 striped with yellow ; had the characteristic horn on the last segment, ami would curl up as a 

 crescent on being disturbed. I could not determine it, but I have reason to believe it was 

 one of the sphinges. 



Cut Worms. 



With these I sometimes conclude that the very eirth is infested, so great are their num- 

 bers and so active their operations. There are evidently many species of them, but the worst 

 and by far the most dreaded is the sneaking thief that cuts our cabbage and tomato plants 

 after they have commenced to grow so finely. 



Agrostis Devastator 



of Harris, and very correctly labelled. These are the most insidious in their attacks, and 

 the most annoying in their devastations, apparently, of any of our garden enemies, and we 

 seem powerless in our defences. They are the most industrious while we are asleep, and like 

 many another dastardly thief hide as soon as the light appears. Our remedies are, vigilant 

 searching for them and destroying them by hand. 



The Pot.^to Beetle ( Donjpfwra decemlineata ). 



No longer maintains the destructive character which it brought with it at the first, nor 

 are oar people .so alarmed and troubled by its presence ; it has become now a familiar matter- 

 of-course arrangement. Although yet pretty numerous, it affects only the careless and the 

 indolent ; the industrious and the ingenious not only baffle their efforts, but to a very large 

 extent render them harmless. It is now well ascertained by our potato raisers that the first 

 broods are comparatively light, and that the insects best eff"orts are not made until mid sum- 

 mer and after, so by planting largely or altogether early maturing varieties, and these placed 

 in the ground as early as possible to get their tops and their tubers ripe before the second 

 brood appears, all danger is out of the way. The beetle is perfectly baffled by this arrange- 

 ment, and it goes wandering about over the fences and on the streets and roads seeking green 

 fields where to pasture, and to deposit its myriads of eggs. This season the crop of potatoes. 



