CHAP. II. BIRDS. 47 



employed, the more eager are they to make their way into it 

 and consume all its goodness. During the Kains in particular, 

 unless the pots be supported upon a couple of bricks, laid 

 parallel to each other, about four or five inches apar it is all 

 but impossible to prevent worms from gaining access through 

 the aperture at the bottom. 



At potting-time also the soil should be carefully examined, 

 so that none be introduced then. 



When, however, after all precautions, it is found that worms 

 have established themselves in the pot, it is said that a little 

 clear lime-water will drive them out. They can be easily 

 removed, Mr. Wood states, by employing the solution of 

 ammonia. 



TOADS. These reptiles few perhaps would suspect of causing 

 much detriment to the garden. I have nevertheless found 

 them a great nuisance to my potted plants, particularly in the 

 Rain season, when they like to squat upon the damp soil at 

 night, and to penetrate into it for a place of retreat during 

 the day. I need hardly observe they should be destroyed 

 when discovered ; but I know of no way to keep them from 

 coming. 



BIRDS. CKOWS. These, when the fit takes them, are 

 perhaps the most formidable of all enemies to young plants in 

 pots. It is almost certain ruin to leave freshly-potted bulbous- 

 plants exposed in any place where crows frequent ; for, even if 

 they do not pull the bulbs out immediately, they will be almost 

 sure to peck them to pieces as soon as they have pushed a 

 little above ground. Paper labels never escape being destroyed 

 by them. 



There are only two ways of protecting plants from their 

 attacks. The simplest is to shoot one occasionally and hang it 

 up for a day or two in the spot from whence it is desired to scare 

 them. The other method is to protect the plants with a net. 



SPARROWS. In the vicinity of Calcutta I have never seen 

 any harm, to take notice of, done by sparrows ; but in the 

 North- West Provinces, where they abound in prodigious numbers, 

 there are few kinds of vermin more destructive. For annuals 

 they have an especial fondness, and in a very short time will 

 clear off the young seedlings from almost any number of pots. 

 Of a sowing of Beet not a particle will escape them as soon as 



