CULTIVATION. 57 



5 in. It is of a grey colour, with orange-coloured spots 

 on each side of the body. As there are five of these spots 

 on each side, it is called Sphinx quinque-maculatus, or Five- 

 spotted Sphinx. The moths may be seen towards night 

 flitting about the flowers, from which they suck the juices 

 by means of their remarkable tongue, which is 5-6 inches 

 long. When the tongue is not in use, it is closely coiled 

 up and hidden between the two feelers. From the 

 manner of their flight and feeding, they are frequently 

 mistaken for humming-birds, and are called " humming- 

 bird moths," and "horn-blowers." The moths should 

 always be destroyed if possible ; by so doing we prevent 

 the production of several hundreds of most destructive 

 worms. Naturalists make one or two other species, which 

 closely resemble the Five-spotted Moth, and are only 

 distinguished by characters which would not be noticed 

 except by the entomologist. 



Judson Popenoe gives the following advice with regard 

 to these pests. " As soon as worms appear, which is 

 generally when the leaves are as big as a man's hand, go 

 over the tobacco, looking carefully at every plant. The 

 worms usually stay on the under side of the leaf ; if you 

 see a hole in the leaf, no matter how small, raise it up and 

 you will generally find a worm under it. Worming can 

 not be done too carefully. Miss one or two worms on a 

 plant, and before you are aware of it the plant is nearly 

 eaten up. When you find a worm, take hold of it with, 

 the thumb and forefinger, giving your thumb that 

 peculiar twist which none but those who are practised in 

 it know how to do, and put the proper amount of pressure 

 on, and my word for it you will render his wormship 



