372 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Aug. 



TRAINING OF THE TOMATO. 

 We have laid aside for publication an arti- 

 cle on the "Waste of Force in Vegetation," 

 by Mr. Thomas Meehan, editor of the Phila- 

 delphia Oardcner'' s Monthly, which suggests a 

 philosophical theory to account for the practice 

 of old grape growers who cut off the tendrils 

 of the grape vine. The theory is, that these 

 tendrils exhaust the vital force of the plant in 

 their efforts to discover or reach something to 

 cling to. Here, perhaps, is the philosophy of 

 trellising grape vines, of bushing peas, of 

 poling hops and beans, and of supporting 

 tomatoes. Now, boys, try the experiment 

 illustrated by the cut. You all know how the 

 "support" of a good bed saves or recuperates 

 your vital force, and increases your ability to 

 labor. Perhaps a tomato plant may in like 

 manner enjoy the stakes and hoops on which 

 it rests, and may possibly express its gratitude 

 by expending the "force" thus saved in the 

 production of superior fruits. 



For the New England Farmer. 

 NOXIOUS ANIMALS, INCLUDING IN- 

 SECTS.— NO. VUI. 

 Plant Lice. —Concluded. 



It appears that tlie grain-lice of 18G1, came 

 and perished, regardless of the presence or ab- 

 sence of these brave and renowned enemies, 

 the Coccindla and Chrysopa — the lady-bii'd 



and golden-eyed, lace-wing fly, or other in- 

 sect parasites. The lady-bird may be known 

 by a quaint and unscientific description of the 

 man who called it "a miniature spotted mud- 

 turtle" (tortoise). The golden-eyed fly whi(!h is 

 about one-half an inch in length, Harris de- 

 scribes as "of a pale-green color, having four 

 wings, resembling delicate lace, and eyes of 

 the brilliancy of polished gold, as its genume 

 name Chrysopa implies." 



Having read that the first mentioned, both 

 in the young and adult state, and the larvce 

 of the last mentioned, were wont to prey in- 

 cessantly and voraciously upon plant-lice, I 

 made diligent search for them in the wheat 

 field mentioned in our last article, and became 

 satisfied that their number was wholly inade- 

 quate to diminish the lice in any sensible de- 

 gree. Writers on injurious insects are par- 

 ticular in their descriptions and commendations 

 of these and other beneficial insects, that they 

 may become known and appreciated by the cul- 

 tivator. We do not doubt or undervalue their 

 services, but until they become more numerous, 

 they will be wholly Inadequate to the suppres- 

 sion of plant-lice. We have seen how little 

 they accomplished in checking the increase 

 of the grain-louse in 1861, and I have never 

 had an apple tree, when once infested with 

 lice, cleared of the pests by the services of the 

 parasitic insect or birds. We have abundant 

 means of repelling plant-lice on a small scale, 

 but their possible increase In any year renders 

 them a power for mischief, entirely beyond our 

 control. 



One valuable fact was established by inqui- 

 ries and investigation in 1861, — that while late 

 sowed spring grain was much injured, winter 

 and early sowed spring grain suffered very 

 little. Our acre of wheat, that year, was an 

 average crop In quantity and quality. 



Tlie sum of our protracted remarks in regard 

 to these Aphldians of tbe grain, is that judging 

 from the past, they may not often be expected 

 to visit us in large numbers ; that their advent 

 cannot be prevented, nor their attacks repelled 

 by ourselves and our Insect and bird allies, 

 when they do come ; and that their injuries 

 may be mainly avoided by early sowing. 



In regard to spring wheat, of which I have 

 not failed to have a i'air crop in any of the last 

 seven years, 1 consider early sowing, irrespec- 

 tive of lice. Indispensable. My practice is'to 

 sow on dry land, after corn; ploughing in the 

 fall, and harrowing In the seed the spring fol- 

 lowing, as soon as the ground Is in a condition 

 to be stirred. If it can be done in March a 

 good crop is almost sure ; If neglected till May, 

 a failure is as sure. 1 have tried only two va- 

 rieties of wheat, Java and Scotch File — prefer 

 the Java. 



The only plant-lice with which I have serious- 

 ly to contend, aretho Aphides Mali, or])Iant-lice 

 of the ai)ple-tree. Their attacks, with us, have 

 been chielly on young and rapidly growing 

 trees and grafted scions. yometlmes they 



