1853. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



369 



FRENCH BUCK, "MATCHJLBSS." 



This is the figure of a fine French Buck, owned 

 by Mr. George Campbell, of West Westminster, 

 Vt. In his description, he says the French Sheep 

 are so well known at the present time, that it is 

 necessary to say but little of them. "Match- 

 less" may truly be said to belong to the "upper 

 ten." lie proves to be an excellent stock getter ; 

 is four years old, and weighed, on the first of last 

 March, 280 lbs. His wool is very thick, good 

 length, and fine. The French sheep are large and 

 strong, and are well calculated fur the production 

 of both wool and mutton. The ewes are good 

 breeders, and generally good nursers, and if well 

 kept, will breed twice a year, if desired. They 

 require good rich sweet pastures in summer, and 

 good keeping in winter. These sheep are well 

 adapted to locations where mutton, as well as 

 wool, is considerable of an object. They are ex- 

 cellent feeders and if fed high will gain in flesh 

 while suckling their young. 



3^ Horticulture is that great gift of God to 

 man, which makes desert places into gardens, and 

 so beautifies the abodes of men as to resemble 

 Paradise. Buildings without Horticulture, are 

 but landmarks in a wilderness. 



For the New England Farmer. 

 PALMER WORM. 



Mr. Editor : —After a lapse of upwards of forty 

 years he has made his appearance this season ; 

 fulfilling tlie declaration of Scripture, that what 

 the canker worm hath left, the Palmer ivorm has 

 eaten. The habits of this worm are much like 

 those of the canker worm ; by a sudden shake of 

 the tree it webs down in the same manner ; it is 

 not much more than half as large, and is of vari- 

 ous colors. You take him in your hand and then 

 touch him and he will snap out at once. 



This insect you will find in many of our or- 

 chards, gardens and groves ; he makes the most 

 tender leaves his food ; for instance, the Hub- 

 bardston Nonsuch apple tree has been eaten more 

 than any other. The trees that leaved out late, 

 or w^ere transplanted this spring, have in man^ 

 places been made entirely bare. 



He dogs not attack the peach or pear tree, or 

 grape vine. In the forest, he devours all that 

 comes in the way; not even the white pine escapes 

 its ravages. 



This old enemy of trees is thrice as formidable 

 as the canker worm, and I know of no way to 

 check his ravages except in the use of whale oil 

 soap, and this can be applied to small trees with 

 good success, by the use of the syringe. The 

 sprinkling of air-slaked lime over the small trees, 

 I have found to have good effect. 



The plum trees that I had limed over to keep 



