232 ON ENTRAPPING EARWIGS WHICH INFEST THE DAHLIA. 



pan. With respect to the sorts to be grown, I should say choose 

 those which will make the best variety, as almost all sorts will grow 

 equally well. 



I have a considerable number in my windows now, which have 

 been treated in this way, and more healthy plants I never saw. 



The soil I use is composed of peat soil, mixed with white sand, 

 sandy loam, and a little well rotted manure. Should your cor- 

 respondent require further information, I shall be happy to give it, 



September3, 1841. 



ARTICLE VIII. 



REMARKS ON ENTRAPPING EARWIGS WHICH INFEST THE 



DAHLIA. 



BY Mil. J. MAJOR, LANDSCAPE GARDENER, KNOSTROP, NEAR LEEDS. 



The prevailing practice of placing garden-pots on the tops of Dahlia 

 stakes to entrap the earwig, so injurious to the blossom of that plant, 

 to me appears highly discordant with good taste, and yet these un- 

 sightly objects are exhibited in almost every garden and pleasure- 

 ground, from the time of planting the Dahlia to the end of the season. 

 Permit me to suggest as an improvement, that the pot be placed 

 erect on the ground behind the plant close to its stem, with a small 

 quantity of wool inside, or any thing else that would afford warmth 

 and concealment to the insect which feeds in the night and secretes 

 itself during the day ; or, in place of the pot, a small piece of 

 woollen cloth may be put between the stem of the plant and the 

 stake, or a bundle composed of half a dozen bean-stalks, five or six 

 inches long, may be placed between the plant and the stake, or 

 amongst the branches. Indeed, almost anything that would afford 

 concealment to the insect, and at the same time not look untidy, 

 would answer : of whatever material the trap is, it should be frequently 

 examined, and the insect shaken out and destroyed. I may also 

 mention, that the caterpillar, which feeds upon the Dahlia-blooms, 

 and secretes itself during the day between the stake and plant and 

 in the bloom, may be entrapped by placing the old blossoms about 

 the plant in the above manner. 



