240 SMALL ANIMALS AND INSECTS. [Chap. IL 



turpentine among the vines near the roots, using care to have them not touch 

 tlie vines. Tlie turpentine should be renewed from to time." 



Aiiotlier says: "These pests of the vines may be easily got rid of by 

 building a fire, of light wood that will blaze freely in the evening. All 

 insects fly into a blaze, and are thus destroyed in myriads." 



It is recommended by J. M. Dimond, of Eaton Co., Mich., to plant in tlie 

 same hill with summer squashes or melons, etc., some seeds of the winter 

 squash, such as have the largest succulent leaves. He says the bugs will not 

 molest the smaller vines under such circumstances. When danger from 

 bugs has ceased, then the plants can be removed. 



Anotlier one gives the following as a sure specific for bugs on vines : 

 " Having seen by your paper tliat many truckers in your section are anxious 

 to ascertain a simple and sure remedy to destroy bugs on squashes, cucum- 

 bers, and tlie like, I will give you one which is almost a specific, and witliin 

 the reach of every one, especially those living on the sea-board. 



" Procure fresh fish — of any kind whatever, the comTuonest and cheapest 

 just as good — a sufficient quantity according to circumstances, say one peck 

 to a barrel of wafer. Let them stand therein a day or two, in order to com- 

 mence decomposition and emit their necessarily unpleasant odor; tlicn 

 dampen the leaves with the liquid. 



'' In addition to driving away the bugs, your plants Avill become green and 

 healthy, and soon grow beyond the reach of any future swarm of depreda- 

 tors. It may be necessary to use the water two or three times in the course 

 of two weeks, but remember that every application is equivalent to a dress- 

 ing of manure, which will amply repay for the labor, which is very trifling. 

 Fresh fisli ofl'al is of equal value with the fish." 



2C3. Potato BugSi — It is quite as useful to report failure as success in 

 farming. We are therefore obliged to Horatio J. Cox, of Zanesville, Ohio, 

 for telling us that he tried powdered lime, and also ashes, sifted upon Iiis 

 potato-vines to prevent them from being eaten by the potato bugs, but he 

 found them at work as usual, with their backs white with lime. His con- 

 clusion, therefore, is, that that is no remedy against the depredations of tlicsc 

 pests. He remarks that " there are two kinds working in concert, but, from 

 my observation, keeping up separate breeds — the black sliell and the striped 

 shell ; the latter is more active than the other, and not quite so plump." 



A French paper gives an opinion that nearly all the diseases of plants, 

 including potato-rot, are occasioned by insects. The insects, in many cases, 

 are microscopic. The little aucaris, for instance, although so very minute, 

 is a great destroyer. It causes little scabby pustules upon fruits, particularly 

 fine pears. 



Whether the potato bug always found on tbe diseased vines is the cause 

 or effect of the disease, is a mooted question. 



. Although Mr. Cox did not stop their depredations, we still recommend 

 liberal dressings of ashes and plaster, and if these do not kill the bugs, they 

 will give the vines a vigorous growth. So with lime and salt. 



