No. 144.] 195 



not touch the grapes. JYever take a leaf off your vines, for it is 

 they which help to fill the fruit. 



About midsummer the grape vine takes a rest, then assist them 

 for a couple of days with a weak solution of guano, and some 

 days after that give them some potash water, the fruit will be 

 more perfect. And this process has another value, it renders it 

 entirely unnecessary to trouble the vines during the summer. The 

 grape vine is a great feeder, and dead horses, night soil and charcoal 

 placed within their reach are always acceptable to them, they 

 are fond of phosphates. The strawberry is much benefited by 

 tannic acid, notwithstanding the doubts of Mr. Hovey. The 

 blackberry is much improved by cultivation. The raspberry 

 canes must be buried in winter ; they alway show whether 

 the winter be very cold or very mild. They should be always 

 buried in winter. 



The secretary speaks of the use of gunpowder in destroying in- 

 sects. My method seems to me better; I use a copper tube with 

 four burners at one end, having large wicks to burn the nests and 

 worms with the burning Jluid so called. That is elficient and 

 does no harm to the trees. As to killing them with ammonia, I 

 put the worms into a vessel and covered them with triple F am- 

 monia; I soaked them well, much to their apparent satisfaction, 

 for they were none the worse for that strong bath. 



Col. Travers—I have succeeded pretty well occasionally by 

 putting gunpowder on a plate and exploding it under the nests 

 when the families were at home. 



Prof. Mapes — Gunpowder kills some but scatters others; little 

 good results. 



Mr. Robinson — Some use a roll of candlewick saturated with 

 spirits of turpentine on the end of a suitable pole ; it makes pretty 

 sure work with the nests and w^orms. 



Prof. Mapes — A clear flame is best. I have used my copper 

 burners so well that now I have but little use for them on my 

 farm. 



