268 GARDENING OVER A WINTER FIRE. 



serious enemies to contend with. In the first 

 place, as soon as it shows itself above the 

 ground, a little black beetle or flea attacks it, 

 and will often destroy first plantings in a few 

 hours. I have tried soot and other things, but 

 have found no remedy so effective as little 

 chickens. Put a coop on each side of your rad- 

 ish bed, and let the little chicks run over it, and 

 they will soon clean it thoroughly of the pest. 

 This same black flea will attack early turnips, 

 cabbage, and indeed almost anything green 

 early in the season ; and where I have but one 

 or two flocks of chickens, I have Thomas move 

 them every night, to some point where the 

 "wicked flea "is specially destructive, and in 

 the morning the devourers are themselves de- 

 voured. This is in accordance with Nature's 

 theory, that one thing should eat another thing, 

 and so keep the ratio of existence nicely ad- 

 justed. That the theory may be proved correct 



