360 OF INSECTS, &C. 



merous, if they do not enter the bottles fast enough 

 (which will happen when the fruit is very ripe% 

 take a little oil in a cup, and with a feather dipped 

 in it touch their backs, and they will instantly drop 

 down ; on observing, you wall find them turned 

 black and green by the effects of the oil.* It is 

 amazing what numbers a diligent person can des- 

 troy in this way in a day. Oil has the same effect 

 on flies ; but it is very difficult to touch them with 

 it as they are so quick in their motions. 



Of Birds, 



AVhen fruit begins to ripen, Birds will attack it,^ 

 The best preventive in this case is, to cover the 

 trees with nets, or buntine, a sort of cloth of which 

 ship's colours are made. These will admit a free 

 circulation of air to the fruit, and will soon dry af- 

 ter rain : they will also be a good covering for 

 the trees in Spring, in cold, wet, or snowy weather. 



Rats and Mice. 



These vermin do a great deal of mischief in 

 gardens, in sheds, and other places, where they 

 frequently destroy great quantities of Beans, Pease, 

 and other seeds : it is, therefore, the interest of 

 every gardener to kill as many of them as possible. 



There are different ways of destroying them, by 

 traps, and by poison ; but I would advise never to 



* Oils kill insects by closing up the lateral pores by which 

 they breathe. 



