THE BEE MOTH — PRESERVING TIMBER. 



369 



pursuing one of the noblest callings of man. A know- 

 ledge of agricultural chemistry aud philosophy is as 

 necessary to the tiller of the soil as the compass is to 

 the mariner. With it he may deviate from the pro- 

 per course, withoat it he certainly will. This infer- 

 ence is drawn from the fact, that nature herself is a 

 chemist in the fullest sense of the word, and is con- 

 verting the elements of earth and air into food for 

 man and beast This chemical operation is carried 

 still farther by converting vegetable matter into the 

 different parts composing animal bodies, and again 

 by the decomposition and return to earth of both the 

 animal and vegetable kingdoms Thus this great 

 chemist, nature, is constantly carrying on the process 

 of dissolution and reproduction. The probability is, 

 there is not one particle more of matter in existence 

 now than there was at the termination of the si.x 

 days in which the creation was accomplished, although 

 it may possess a greater variety of forms than it did 

 at that time. 



Therefore, if we understand and appreciate na- 

 ture's ways and wonders, we must fiist become ac- 

 quainted with the principles by which they are con- 

 trolled. A knowledge of astronomy is no detriment 

 to a farmer, and (quoting from the reply to Mr. 

 Huffs correspondence) is well calculated to lead the 

 mind from nature up to nature's God, and bring to 

 view subjects for pleasant and profitable reflection, if 

 not for daily practice. When we stand and gaze 

 upon the numberless stars, and contemplate that 

 many of them probably are worlds similar to the one 

 which we inhabit, that they too are inhabited, that 

 they were all created and placed in the firmament by 

 the same hand, and with what exactness they per- 

 form their allotted duties and revolutions, we are led 

 to exclaim, What a vast design! What mighty 

 power and infinite wisdom were requisite to execute 

 it! In truth, nature is full of wondrous beauty, and 

 no one has a better opportunity to enjoy it than the 

 farmer, if his mind be properly cultivated; and if his 

 mind be properly cultivated, his land will be also. 

 Then how important that those of the rising generar 

 tion, who are destined to be tillers of the soil, be 

 taught not only to wield the implements of husban- 

 dry, but to understand the principles by which an 

 eminently successful agriculturist must be governed. 

 And should circumstances render it unnecessary for 

 them to bring such kind of knowledge into practical 

 use, the enjoyment received from its possession will 

 be an ample recompense for all the toil spent in its 

 acquisition. M. Gaknset. 



MlDDLEBUBGH, NoV. 6, 1855. 



THE BEE MOTH. 



Mr. Editor: — There have been many ways sug- 

 gested to prevent the ravages of the bee moth, and 

 no doubt each way has been practi^ed with some de- 

 gree of success; still it is doubtful whether any meth- 

 od has yet been discovered by which we may entirely 

 prevent their disturbing the rightful occupants of the 

 hive. 



On raising the hive we may find the moth snugly 

 located under its edges, and in every crevice in the 

 bench or board upon which the hive stands; thus be- 

 ing prepared to sally forth and commit their depre- 

 dations whenever a suitable opportunity may occur. 

 And if unmolested, they will contmue to multiply 

 and gain strength until they gain full possession of 

 the hive and its contents. 



But they may be destroyed in great numbers by 

 the following means: — llai.se the hive an inch from 

 the bench by placing small blocks under its corners, 

 and carefully fill every crevice in the bench, thus de- 

 priving them of their favorite locations altogether. 

 Then take a little board, say three by six inches, and 

 one-half inch in thickness, and with a knife or some 

 other sharp instrument cut it full of grooves upon 

 one side; let the grooves extend through half the 

 thickness of the board. Thus prepared, slide it un- 

 der the hive, the grooved side down. This furnishes 

 the moth with exactly such a place as they desire, 

 aud all you have to do is to remove your trap from 

 one to three times a week, and destroy what you find 

 in it. Small rods of elder, divided lengthwise and 

 the pith removed, will answer, though not as well as 

 a board with grooves in it. 



AVe do not claim greater merit for this remedy 

 than for any other known, but merely say, as it cau 

 be tested without the least expense, let all thohe who 

 may have occasion or opportunity give it a trial, and 

 satisfy themselves whether it will pay to practice it 

 or not. M. Gaknsey. 



MiDDLEBCRGH, NoV. 6, 1855. 



Preserving Timber. — Antoine Le Grosse, of 

 Paris, has recently obtained a patent, the object of 

 which is to preserve all kinds of timber by a cheap 

 chemical solution which does not injure its fibre. 

 For this purpose he employs a solution of hydrochlo- 

 rate of manganese, saturated with chalk and the ox- 

 ide of zinc. The logs or pieces of timber are steeped 

 in this solution about twenty-four hours. The vessel 

 to hold the timber is placed vertically, so that the 

 timber can be placed on end to allow the liquid to 

 flow through the pores byjcapillary attraction. If 

 placed horizontally, the li(|uid will not flow through 

 the fibres of the timber. Some creosote may be add- 

 ed to the liquid, and with a good effect. 



