238 SMALL ANIMALS AND INSECTS. [Chap. II. 



"So far as my observation goes, the wire-worm is most troublesome in 

 seasons after a mild Avintcr. or wlicn there has been a lieavy coat of snow on 

 the groimd during winter, thus preventing the frost jienetrating the eartli to 

 any considerable dep'.h. Consequently, the worms remain near the surface, 

 and are not frozen to death or driven so far below the surface that they must 

 starve before they can return. Two successive crops of buckwheat will 

 generally rid any soil of wire-worms." 



And we add, so will ten bushels of salt per acre, and every worm that is 

 killed by it will fertilize a wliole handful of grass. Salt, alone, is an excel- 

 lent manure ; salt and lime still better, prepared according to the formula 

 under the head of " salt and lime mixture." Thirty bushels of lime, in 

 powder, sown broadcast, will destroy the worms in many a field that has been 

 almost barren, and make it productive of fine crops of wheat, clover, corn. 



" How to get rid of the worms," is one of the most important questions 

 that a farmer can ask, and the want of a knowledge how, is not confined to 

 young farmers. Hence, all we say u])on the subject is worth treasuring up 

 in the great store-house of knowledge, the human mind. 



2G0. Worm-KillerSi — A reliable South Carolina acquaintance, Col. A. G. 

 Sunmier, of Pomaria, declares that Cliina berries applied like manure to soil 

 will expel all grubs and worms. " China trees" are as common all over the 

 South as locust or ailanthus here, and they arc very fruitful, the berries resem- 

 bling small cherries in size, and pulp surrounding a hard seed. Only a few years 

 ago, the fact was discovered, rather accidentally, that the wood of this tree 

 would bear a high polish, and that furniture made of it was as strong and 

 handsome as that of some of our most expensive imported woods, and tliat 

 its natural pleasant odor, like that of cedar or camphor wood, remains, and 

 is a great preventive of moths. The botanical name of the " China tree" is 

 Mdia azedaraeh ; sometimes called the great Indian lilac. It is a hot- 

 house shrub here ; at Charleston, it grows fifty feet high, and is a beautiful 

 shade-tree, its greatest objection being its abundance of berries falling upon 

 the ground, notwithstanding which it is a great favorite in all the most 

 Southern States, and its berries, if of any value, could be had here at a small 

 price. 



261. Tobacco-Worms. — These destructive pests of the tobacco-planter, it 

 is well known, can be subdued with a flock of turkeys better than in any 

 other way. As both turkeys and worms are large, the operation can be seen 

 and appreciated ; yet we have no doubt that a flock of wrens do just as 

 much toward the destruction of some other family of worms, and really 

 eflfect as much good to the farmer. And so of every other class of birds. 

 ■Cultivators of other crops ought to take lessons from the tobacco-growers. 

 The first glut of worms, in July, is easily subdued by the turkeys, while 

 tobacco is small, and tlie worms are doing but little damage. Tlie trouble 

 comes in August, but the destruction of the worms a month sooner may save 

 the crop. 



Mr. Wm. Sheppard, of Ann Arundel Co., Md., has been very successful 



