50 
THE Lance Rustic Morn (Agrotis telifera, Harris). (Ypsilon, Rott).— 
Harris was the first to describe this fine insect, which 
measures an inch and a half in expanse of wings. 
(Fig. 19.) The fore wings are brown, dark along the 
costa and through the middle. Near the hind margin 
is a light-brown band, and at the base of the wing is 
a light-brown patch, shaped like the head of a fish 
with the mouth open. Pointing outwardly from the 
reniform stigma is a black lance-shaped mark. The 
hind wings of the moth are pearly white shaded 
with brown. 
The caterpillar known as the “Greasy Cut-worm,” is dull leaden brown, 
spotted with shiny black. Its dorsal and side lines are yellowish. ‘The creature 
is highly destructive to corn, tobacco, tomatoes, ete, eutting the plants an inch 
above the ground. 
THE CLANDESTINE OWLET Morty (Ayrotis clandestvna, Harris).—In expanse 
of wings this moth measures an inch and three-quarters. It is a very sober- 
coloured moth. The fore wings are dark ashen. In them the orbicular and reni- 
form stigmata are connected by a black line. The hind wings are dirty brownish- 
white, darker towards the hind margin. The fore part of the body is chestnut. 
brown. The moth received its name from its retiring habits and attempts at 
concealment. 
The caterpillar (Fig. 20) is called the “ W-marked Cut-worm.” It is yellowish 
grey in colour, lined with yellow, and finely sprinkled with 
dark spots. On each side of the back, upon the abdominal 
#= segments, is a row of black velvety marks. ‘lhese marks, 
; ae > when viewed from the front, are suggestive of the letter W 
Fic. 20. —hence the common name of the creature. 
Nothing in the way of vegetables seems to come amiss to this cut-worm ; 
beans, young corn, cabbage, pumpkins, etc., all are eagerly eaten by it. It has the 
habit of dragging its food under stones or into the ground, that it may feed upon 
it at leisure. 
The methods to be pursued for protecting garden crops from the cut-worms 
appear to me to be these :—Because the caterpillars pass from plant to plant over 
the surface of the earth, and will not ascend a friable mound corn should be 
“ planted im the hill.” Around each newly-planted cabbage a ring of salt should 
be placed, a few inches from the stem. The larve will not pass over this, and 
the salt will act as a fertilizer. Whenevera plant is found to be nipped off, the 
cause of the damage should be dug for at the root with a knife or pointed stick, 
and when found, destroyed. Growing corn, cabbages, cauliflowers, tomatoes, ete., 
should be earthed up several times during their period of growth. 
“The Husbandman’s Own Insectide.” Take plants of “poison poke,” 
(Veratrum viride, Aiton) roots, stems and leaves, cut them into manageable lengths, 
make a decoction—a sap-kettle will be useful for the purpose—let the liquor cool, 
and then apply with a sprinkler or water-can. This will be found useful where 
the application of Paris green would be dangerous. 
The gardener hasa multitude of insect foes to contend with, but prompt and 
intelligent applications of preventives and remedies are very sure to be rewarded 
with success against them. 
