30 KITCHEN-GARDENING. 



the whole ; after which mix it with plaster of Paris, so as to 

 separate and render it fit for sowing." 



As the truth of the old adage, that one ounce of prevention 

 is of more value than a pound of cure, is very generally admit- 

 ted, I would recommend the following method of preparing a 

 bed for the purpose of raising Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, 

 and such other plants as are subject to the attacks of insects : 

 After digging or ploughing the ground in the usual way, col- 

 lect any combustibles that are attainable, as dried weeds, 

 sedge, turf, brushwood, leaves, stubble, corn-stalks, sawdust, or 

 even litter from the dung-heap, which should be placed in 

 heaps on the seed-beds and burned to ashes ; then rake the 

 ground over and sow the seed, which will not be attacked by 

 insects while the effects of the fire remain. In the event of 

 extremely dry weather, water the beds every evening until the 

 plants are in full leaf. This is an infallible remedy. 



Fish oil is known to be destructive to ants and various other 

 Bmall insects, but it is difficult to apply to plants. 



In the summer season, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, etc., 

 are particularly subject to the ravages of grubs and caterpil- 

 lars. To prevent this wholly, is perhaps impossible ; still it is 

 not difficult to check these troublesome visitors. It may be 

 done by searching for them on their first appearance, and 

 destroying them. Early in the morning, grubs may be col- 

 lected from the earth, within two or three inches of such 

 plants as they may have attacked the night previous. 



The approach of caterpillars is discoverable on the leaves 

 of Cabbages, many of which are reduced to a thin wnite skin 

 by the minute insects which emerge from the eggs placed on 

 them. These leaves being gathered and thrown into the fire, 

 a whole host of enemies may be destroyed at once ; whereas, 

 if they are suffered to remain, they will increase so rapidly, 

 that in a few days the plantation, however extensive, may 

 become infested ; and, when once these arrive at the butterfly, 

 or moth stage of existence, they become capable of perpetu- 

 ating their destructive race to an almost unlimited extent. 



