INSECTS. 115 



generally of a dark ash-color, with only a very faint trace cf the 

 double tiansverse wavy bands that are found in most species of 

 Agrotis ; the two ordinary spots are small and narrow, the anterior 

 spot being oblong oval, and connected with the oblique kidney- 

 shaped spot, by a longitudinal black line. The hind wings are 

 dirty brownish white, somewhat darker behind. The head, the 

 collar, and. the abdomen are chestnut-colored. It expands one inch 

 and three quarters. The wings, when shut, overlap on their inner 

 edges, and cover the top of the back so flatly and closely that these 

 moths can ^t into very narrow crevices. During the day they lie 

 hidden under the bark of trees, in the chinks of fences, and even 

 under the loose clapboards of buildings. When the blinds of our 

 houses are opened in the morning, a little swarm of these insects, 

 which had crept behind them for concealment, is sometimes ex- 

 posed, and suddenly aroused from their daily slumber. 



Among the various remedies that have been proposed for pre- 

 venting the ravages of cut-worms in wheat and corn-fields, may be 

 mentioned the soaking of grain, before planting, in copperas-water 

 and other solutions supposed to be disagreeable to the insects ; 

 rolling the seed in lime or ashes ; and mixing salt with the manure. 

 These may prevent wire-worms and some insects from destroying 

 the seed ; but cut-worms prey only on the sprouts and young 

 stalks, and do not eat the seeds. Such stimulating applications 

 may be of some benefit, by promoting a more rapid and vigorous 

 growth of the grain, by which means the sprouts will the sooner 

 become so strong and rank as to resist or escape the attacks of the 

 young cut-worms. Fall-plowing of sward-lands, which are in- 

 tended to be sown with wheat or planted with corn the year follow- 

 ing, will turn up and expose the insects to the inclemency of winter, 

 whereby many of them will be killed, and will also bring them 

 within reach of insect-eating birds. But this seems to be a doubt- 

 ful remedy, against which many objections have been urged. The 

 most effectual, and not a laborious remedy, even in field-cultuie, is 

 to go round every morning, and open the earth at the foot of the 

 plant, and you will never fail to find the worm at the ro(it, within 

 four inches. Kill him, and you will save not only the other plants 

 of your field, but, probably, many thousands in future years. 



PLUM WEEVIL OR CURCULIO. It is now well known that the 

 tailing of unripe plums, apricots, peaches and cherries, is caused by 

 little whitish grubs, which bore into these fruits. The loss of fruit, 

 occasioned by insects of this kind, is frequently very great ; and, 



