Remedies. 239 



and, during the early part of May, the worms attract attention by the innumerable 

 small holes they make in the leaves. Their colors are dirty yellow and gray green, 

 and when not feeding, they rest on the under side of the leaf, curled up in a spiral 

 manner, the tail occupying the center, and fall to the ground at the slightest dis- 

 turbance. After changing their skin four times, they become fully grown, when they 

 measure about three-fourths of an inch. 



"At this season, they descend into the ground, and form a weak cocoon of earth; 

 the inside being made smooth by a sort of gum. In this they soon change to pupae, 

 from which are produced a second breed of flies by the end of June and beginning of 

 July. Under the influence of July weather, the whole process of egg depositing, etc., 

 is rapidly repeated, and the second brood of worms descend into the earth during 

 the fore part of August, and form their cocoons ; in which they remain in the cater- 

 pillar state through the fall, winter, and early spring months, till the middle of April 

 following, when they become pupae and flies again, as related. 



" The remedy is the same as that employed against the currant worm, which 

 belongs to the same family. It consists of white hellebore, used either in powder or 

 liquid." 



I think that tobacco dust or a strong decoction from the stems would 

 prove effective, also. 



I have never had any experience with this worm, but have read 

 of instances in which fields had been entirely cleared of the pest by 

 young chickens and turkeys. 



The common little flea-beetle has often caused great injury to my 

 recently planted beds. I once paid nearly $100 for a new, high-priced 

 variety, and before I was aware of it, every plant had been devoured. 

 They rarely injure large, fully matured plants, but are often very destruct- 

 ive to those recently planted, especially if set during the summer. You 

 cannot catch them ; for, as your hand approaches a leaf on which they 

 cluster, they scatter with a sudden bound, and are at once lost to view, 

 so nearly do they resemble the color of the ground. Slight dustings 

 of dry wood ashes impede their feeding somewhat ; but I think we must 

 cope with this insect as we do with the Colorado or potato beetle. It must 

 be poisoned. Paris green, of course, will finish them speedily, but such 

 a deadly poison must be used with great care, and if there is any green 

 or ripe fruit on the vines, not used at all. Hellebore, London purple, 

 tobacco dust, may destroy them ; and when little chickens can be 

 employed, they are a sure remedy. 



" Black eyes," or the receptacle turning black, is caused by light 

 frosts, to which the open flowers are very susceptible. If one's straw- 

 berry bed were in bloom, and there was a prospect of a frosty night, 

 I think the blossoms could be saved by covering the bed with four or 



