190 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



referred to occurred some individuals did not revive until a surprisingly late date 

 last spring, namely, the end of May. Some half grown specimens were dug from the 

 bed of Couch-grass in November last. The moths expand about \^ inches across the 

 wings. The general colour of the forewings is pearly bluish-gray, tinged in some speci- 

 mens with pink or brown scales ; different specimens vary very much in distinctness of 

 the transverse lines, but all show a well defined white subterminal line shadowed on the 

 inner side by a row of dark triangular marks, and the reniform spot shows more distinctly 

 than any of the other markings. Hind wings whitish, with a broad, pale fuscous band 

 and discal spot. Head and body concolorous with the forewings. 



Remedies. — When it is known that cutworms are abundant in gardens or even in 

 fields, much can be done by the use of well-known and well tried remedies to destroy 

 them and prevent injury. SeveM.1 correspondents have borne testimony to the benefits 

 of clean culture, by which all haulms, vines, stems and leaves of crops which had been 

 gathered were promptly destroyed and the land kept free from weeds, so that the female 

 cutworm moths when egg laying were not attracted to the spot. The banding of 

 freshly set out annual plants, eithei with rings of paper or tin, has as usual given good 

 results. An enterprising Ottawa firm, Messrs. Taylor and Gilbert, has put out a device 

 made of a specially prepared stiff paper 10 inches long by 3 wide, called the Taylor 

 Plant Protector for tobacco, cabbage, tomatoes, etc. These are stated to be a sure pro- 

 tection against cutworms, cold winds, light frosts, etc. The price, less than $1 a thou- 

 sand, brings them within the reach of ail. A great many were used at the Experimental 

 Farm both in this Division and by the Horticulturist and were found to be extremely 

 satisfactory. Cutworm injuries are of so nuch interest to every grower of vegetables, 

 flowers and fruits in all parts of the Dominion, that I think it well to draw attention to 

 the above device. I may mention that identically the same thing has been used for 

 many years by Mr. George Thurber, of Upton Village, Qua, to protect tobacco plants- 

 from frosts and cutworms. 



The most striking results have been obtained from the use of the poisoned bran 

 remedy, which consists of a mixture of bran and Paris green in the proportion of 

 50 of the former and 1 of the latter. In making this mixture (which may be applied 

 either wet or dry) it is best to dampen the bran slightly with water containing a 

 little sugar. After mixing thoroughly, so that the whole mass may be permeated 

 very slighly with moisture, add the Paris green by shaking on a very little at a 

 time and stirring it in. If the Paris green be added to the bran when it is perfectly 

 dry, it will, owing to its weight, sink at once to the bottom when stirred. If it is desired 

 to use this mixture as a wet application, more sugar and water must be added until it 

 is of about the same consistency as porridge ; but if to be used dry, a little more dry bran 

 may be added until the mixture will run through the fingers easily. Mr. F. A. Sirrine, 

 of Geneva, N.Y., drew attention to the fact that the mixture could be used dry with 

 even better results than when applied wet. It is far easier to distribute and lasts 

 longer without getting mouldy. A convenient implement for distributing this poisoned 

 mixture, among crops which are grown in drills or rows, is a combined wheel hoe and 

 seed drilL The seed box is filled with the poisoned bran, and lines of it are run across 

 the field or along the rows close to the crop. In sandy land it was found convenient first 

 to run a shallow furrow and then drop the bran into this shelter, which prevented 'the ' 

 bran from being blown away by the wind. Strange as it may seem, it certainly appeared 

 as if the bran mixture was more attractive to the cutworms than the living plants. 



This remedy is, after all, only a modification of the poisoned trap remedy which 

 has been used so successfully for many years, and which will continue to find favour 

 with many, as green succulent vegetation suitable for the purpose is nearly always to 

 be had, for it must be remembered that any weed will answer the purpose, whereas 

 bran or shorts would have to be purchased. 



The Cutworm Lion (Calosoma calidum, Fab.j. — Cutworms have many enemies. 

 In addition to various insectivorous birds and small mammals, there is a host of parasitic 



