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been carried. The caterpillars being green it is difficult to detect 

 them, therefore careful observation is requisite from May to 

 ascertain whether caterpillars are present in the clover crops. 

 If they are present in formidable numbers the clover should be 

 cut as soon as possible to prevent the chrysalids from turning 

 into moths. A correspondent wrote that he believed the attack 

 upon one large clover field was stopped by this means, the 

 chrysalids being taken up with the hay and killed by the heat 

 of the rick. 



Lime, and lime and soot mixed, applied in damp weather 

 have been found to be most unpleasant to the caterpillars. 

 Where they are present on turnips and other plants in drills 

 they may be dislodged by bunches of furze, birch, or green 

 broom fastened on each side of a horse hoe. This should be 

 immediately followed by another horse hoe to bury them, or kill 

 them. 



These caterpillars are very fond of thistles and nettles. 

 Several correspondents remarked that they appeared to like the 

 thistles in clover fields just as well as the clover. These weeds 

 should be kept down, as they serve as food for the caterpillars 

 before the clovers and other cultivated plants are ready. 



In Germany they push long troughs of lath and sacking upon 

 two light wheels through the young clover, flax, and beet, before 

 the plants are too high, to catch the caterpillars. 



Many correspondents wrote of the inestimable value of rooks, 

 starlings, and other birds in clearing off these caterpillars, during 

 the late attack. Rooks and starlings seem to be particularly 

 fond of them, as they are smooth. 



