OE THE FARM AHD GARDEN". 90 



on such food. The grubs will, when deprived of other 

 and more agreeable food, attack the Potato leaves, but 

 after eating a few moments, crawl away, and unless 

 supplied with more of the Horse-nettle, soon die. But 

 the genuine W-lineata is not so particular in regard to 

 its food, since the Horse -nettle and various other species 

 of Solanum are just as acceptable as the Potato, and the 

 Egg-plant (S. melongena) is preferred to either. On a 

 pinch it will even feed on Jamestown-weed (Datura)^ 

 Cabbage or Smart-weed, though it is questionable whether 

 it could thrive for any length of time on plants belonging 

 to other families than that of the Potato. 



METHOD OF DESTROYING. 



The first step or most practical method of making war 

 upon this insect is the destruction of the few or many 

 that come out of the ground in spring, for each female 

 killed at this time may safely be said to represent five to 

 ten hundred in the succeeding generation, for she will, 

 if not prevented, lay about that number of eggs. Some 

 persons, however, claim that it is much the best way to 

 allow the beetles to take their own course, and then 

 destroy the larvae a few days later, when they have fairly 

 commenced feeding upon the leaves, by applying some 

 one or more of the various poisons recommended for this 

 purpose. That either the beetles or the grubs must be 

 destroyed in order to save the crop, is now generally 

 admitted, and the only room for a difference of opinion 

 is as to how it should be done. Scores of different sub- 

 stances have been tried for this purpose, but none have 

 proved so effectual and economical as Paris Green and 

 other arsenical compounds. That these poisons are 

 dangerous to have about a place, is admitted, and so are 

 sharp knives, reapers, and mowers, still it is not as easy to 

 do without them as to be a little careful in using, and 



