AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 97 



and the bat live largely upon insects, which they consume both 

 in the -larva and the winged state, and the toad, though not a 

 spry hunter, can often and expertly catch a fly. 



Moles, also, and some ground-beetles destroy the various 

 grubs that are hatched or harbored in the earth. 



Some insects have protectors. Ants are said to guard the 

 aphides, and, by a peculiar process, milk them, or, perhaps more 

 truly, by a startling threat, to rob them of the sweet juices they 

 suck from plants. 



2d. We have also opportunities for escaping their depreda- 

 tions by changing a little the period of sowing or planting, 

 though this also may sometimes expose us to other inconven- 

 iences. 



Late-sown wheat has been found to escape, at least in part, 

 the depredations of the fly or the weevil. Late-sown peas are 

 not so liable to be punctured by the pea-bug, but they are pe- 

 culiarly exposed to check and mildew from the heat, which by 

 early sowing they would have escaped. But late-planted win- 

 ter cabbages not only escape the cut-worm, but, if driven into 

 rapid growth by careful after-cultivation, are improved in qual- 

 ,ity by the delay. 



3d. Insects have tastes and distastes, of which we may per- 

 haps avail ourselves in self-defense. As they carefully avoid 

 certain plants, we may mix these with those which they attack, 

 and try thus to shield them. Onion, hemp, tobacco, and tomato 

 have been suggested and recommended for the protection of 

 cucumbers, melons, &c., on this principle. There is, however, 

 a difficulty in the application of it. A single plant of either 

 of the three last named in each hill, left to grow unchecked, 

 will monopolize possession arid destroy the crop ; whether if 

 kept closely trimmed they would effect the end, or whether, if 

 they would, the labor could not be better applied, are questions 

 to be answered. The onion, as well as several small herbs with 

 strong odors, may be well worthy of trial. We have also some 

 other means of offending them, which will be mentioned in con- 

 nection with the several insects. 



4th. We possess various means of injuring or destroying 

 them. There are certain points in the history of insect life 



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