120 THE MANSE GARDEN. 



ground; then scrape with a hoe the surface earth 

 from the stem of each bush to the depth of two or 

 three inches, not exposing the roots; and let all re- 

 main in this state till the middle of winter. By this 

 I suppose the frost reaches and destroys the larva? 

 lodged by instinct near to their future provision. In 

 digging the ground make a deep furrow, into which 

 the mound-like rings made by the hoe will be leveled, 

 when a little fresh earth may be laid next to the roots 

 in room of that which has previously been removed. 

 For many years, since I have fallen on this expedient, 

 I have had no caterpillar, or none to cause any 

 trouble. Soapy water, which is best applied in soft 

 weather, and when the earth has been drawn from 

 the roots, contributes not a little to prevent the 

 ravages of this insidious and abominable reptile. 

 The sudds are an excellent manure, and serve to 

 accomplish your object, either by killing the larvae 

 or promoting in the trees a more healthy vegetation. 



The sum is this. If man's convenience, health, 



Or safety, interfere, his rights and claims 



Are paramount, and must extinguish theirs. 



Else they are all the meanest things that are 



As free to live and to enjoy that life 



As God was free to form them at the first, 



Who in his sovereign wisdom made them all. 



Ye, therefore, who love mercy, teach your sons 



To love it too, The spring-time of our years 



Is soon dishonour'd and defiled in most 



By budding ills, that ask a prudent lumd 



To check them. But, alas ! none sooner shoots, 



If unrestrain'd, into luxuriant growth, 



Than cruelty, most devilish of them all. 



Mercy to him that shows it is the rule 



And righteous limitation of its act, 



By which heaven moves in pardoning guilty man; 



And he that shows none, being ripe in years, 



And conscious of the outrage he commits, 



Shall seek it, and not find it, in his turn." 



