ATTACKS OF INSECTS, ETC. 



Another Boston writer in reference to the insect above 

 named, makes the following remarks. " It makes its first ap- 

 pearance in June, but is most abundant in August, and if 

 allowed to increase, destroys the vegetative principle in the 

 leaf, and the plant languishes, the fruit mildews or moulders, 

 and the crop is lost. Alkalies and tobacco juice have been 

 tried as remedies, but although partially effective, have not 

 been found completely so. To remedy this evil, however, you 

 have only to make a small light frame twelve or fourteen feet 

 long, in the form of a soldier's tent, but with hinges of leather 

 where the top joins, so that this tent may be shut up or opened 

 at the bottom to any width you may require, according to the 

 height of your trellis. This light frame, which should be 

 made of slats of boards from one to two inches broad, may be 

 covered with an old sail, or some cheap glazed cotton cloth 

 which will stop the smoke, leaving cloth enough loose at each 

 end, to close over, and prevent the smoke from escaping when 

 the tent is spread over the trellis. 



" A few tobacco stalks moistened and put on some coals in 

 a pan, will be sufficient to smoke the vines thoroughly : and as 

 the tent is easily moved along the trellis on some small wheels, 

 one man may, in a few hours, extirpate this enemy of the vine- 

 yard. Vines that are already attacked by this insect to any 

 great degree should be smoked in June, July, and twice in 

 August, or oftener if you find the insect is not completely 

 destroyed. 



" The insects are first seen on the under part of the leaf, with- 

 out wings very active but easily destroyed if touched. They 

 afterwards assume the winged state, when it is very difficult 

 to get at them, as they fly off on the vines being touched. 

 They are yellow, striped with brown across the back. The 

 moment the smoke ascends, the winged insects quit the leaves 

 and fall to the ground dead or alive ; the young ones perish, 

 but the older ones will revive if not destroyed in their torpid 

 state. To effect this, you have only to cover the ground 

 under the tent with a piece of wet cloth before you begin to 

 smoke, to which they adhere until the tent is removed, and 



