14 KITCHEN-GARDENING. 



been known to preserve melon and cucumber-vines from the 

 ravages of the yellow-fly, bugs, blight, etc., and to keep the 

 plants in a thriving condition. 



REPELLING INSECTS. 



As liquid, however, cannot be conveniently used on a large 

 piece of land, it may be necessary, if insects are numerous, to 

 sow tobacco-dust, mixed with road-dust, soot, ashes, lime, or 

 the dust of charcoal, in the proportion of half a bushel per 

 acre every morning, until the plants are free or secure from 

 their attacks. 



It is necessary that the gardener should have a hogshead 

 set in the ground always at hand in dry weather, containing 

 solutions made of waste tobacco, lime, soot, cow-dung, elder, 

 burdock leaves, etc. A portion of these ingredients, or any 

 other preparation that is pernicious or poisonous to insects, 

 without injuring the plants, thrown into a hogshead kept 

 filled up with water, if used moderately over beds of young 

 plants in dry weather, would, in almost every case, insure a 

 successful crop. Such liquid, however*, should never be used 

 when the sun shines ; and if applied too abundantly to the 

 leaves, there is danger, sometimes, that the leaves and sterna 

 will be destroyed. 



Manure should be applied to the most profitable and exhaust 

 ing crops ; and the succession of crops should be so arranged 

 that the ground may be occupied by plants either valuable in 

 themselves, or which may contribute to the increased value of 

 those which are to follow ; and the value of the labor required 

 to mature vegetables and prepare them for market, should be 

 always taken into consideration. 



VALUE OF PEAT ASHES. 



The farmers of Europe consider peat ashes of more value 

 than any others; and I am persuaded that, could they be 

 fairly tested by some of our best cultivators, great good would 

 result to the community. Jf the farmers in England can afford 



