INSfiCtS. l^P 



INSECTS. 



Insects of some description are continually preying upon the 

 labors of the farmer, and in many instances it is difficult, if not 

 impossible, to provide adequate remedies agamst their ravages. 

 Some account of those which are most injurious to vegetation, 

 together with .the best remedies that have been discovered to 

 prevent their ravages, shall here be given. 



Canker w.oRMs are insects of the species of the miller, 

 which about eighty year" since, made their first appearance in 

 the oldest settled parts of the New-England States, and were 

 called canker worms because they produced an eifectupon the 

 apple-trees similar to that produced by canker. One of the 

 most effectual methods to prevent their ascending the trees, 

 which the female does early in the spring, to deposit her eggs, 

 is that which is found equally effectual in preventing the ascent 

 of caterpillars, that is, to fasten a strip of sheepskin, with the 

 wool outwards, round the body of the tree. This, it is found, 

 is a barrier they cannot pass, as in attempting to climb over the 

 wool they lose their hold, and fall down. Another method is, 

 "to fasten a piece of oiled paper about the tree, with the lower 

 edge projecting out an inch or more, and standing downwards, 

 which edge they cannot pass. These strips must be closely fit- 

 ted round the tree to prevent their passage between them and 

 the body. The scraping off the shaggy parts of the bark is al- 

 so recommended, in order to deprive them of places of safety 

 from birds, and of shelter from storms. Mr. Forsyth also r©- 

 cornmends, that the bodies and large limbs of the trees be 

 whitewashed with lime and w^ater, or with a mixture of old 

 urine and soapsuds for keeping off all insects. 



Caterpillars. The above directions it is saidi are al?o 

 -equally applicable to these insects. 



When a nest of them are formed, run a pole into it, twist it 

 round till the nest and its contents are wrapped round the pole 

 and bring the whole down and kill the worms. Let this be 

 done m the morning, when the worms are all in the nest. If 

 any escape this operation, repeatjit when they have rebuilt the 

 nest. This remedy is thought to be more efiicacioua when ap- 

 plied m a shower of rain. When the nests have been suffered 

 to remain till the insects have left them, young broods for ♦he 

 ensuing year, will ftie next spring be found on the trees, in the 



