lOO TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



might well rejoice, In the Hon. Gerrit Smith's garden the bushes stood on 

 open ground, which was entirely free from grass and weeds. The worms 

 had got a grand start before they were taken in hand. ALen were then set 

 at work to beat the bushes ; the worms fell by thousands, and the. men 

 mashed them on the ground as they fell with the flat side of their spades, 

 and thus a good portion of the foliage and most of the fruit was saved. 

 An earlier application of this remed}' would have been easier, of course, and 

 more effectual. As the Hessian fly appeared with the coming of the Hes- 

 sians, so the currant worm made its appearance with the great Rebellion. 

 It might, therefore, with some propriety take the name of the ' Secession 

 worm ;' but I doubt if it would be morally right to libel any, even the most 

 loathsome worm, by applying to them that hideous cognomen." 



Protecting Plants from Frost. 



Mr. E. Aloswortli, Peterboro, N. Y., has accidently discovered how to 

 protect plants in frosty nights. He was in the habit of using boxes, casks, 

 pails, pans and cloths. One very cold night he covered one plant with a 

 basket. " In the morning on examination, everything was killed or nearly 

 so except the plant under the basket ! Now it is a well known fact, that 

 on the approach of a frosty night, if the breeze keeps on bloiving there is no 

 frost to do n)uch injury; but if the breeze goes down with the sun, and is 

 succeeded by a calm, then woe to the young flowers and garden [ilants. 

 But any covering open on the sides or ends will create a draft in the stillest 

 night, and this was the case with the basket. Ever since that time, Mr. 

 A. has simply placed boxes, &c., at intervals, and laid boards on the top of 

 them, leaving both sides wide open. It seems like no covering at all ; but 

 it is all that is needed, and he never loses a plant. The people are greatly 

 troubled by frosts in that high region. In early June, and even in July, it 

 is not an uncommon thing lor them to put their flowers, &c., to bed, and 

 tuck them up. Blanket, sheets, and cloth with boxes, pails, pans, &c., are 

 all brought into requisition, and even with these the plants are often des- 

 troyed. But the gentleman above named always saves his plants by 

 covering them in the method described." 



Mr. J. E. Covington, Churchill, Queen Ann's Co., Md.: 



Gentlemen — Having seen your letter to Mr. Stockbridge, I take the 

 liberty of writing to you. To all the questions asked I can return a favor- 

 able answer so far as our section of country is cojicerned. I am a resident 

 of the eastern shore of Maryland. I will try and give you a correct state- 

 ment of our count}'. Slavery with us is nearly extinct, the slaves having all 

 removed themselves but very few remain. I thii:k in a short time there 

 will be none to remove. Land varies from twenty to sixty dollars per acre, 

 according to the Quality and situation. Our advantages for agriculture 

 and horticulture are good; land can be no better situated, for marketing of 

 all kinds which has been carried on, so far as fruit is concerned, with suc- 

 cess. 



So far as your reception with us is concerned, that depends altogether on 

 the man, if he conducts himself as a gentleman, I can assure you he need 



