PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 109 



stripping them entirely. In autumn they go in the ground, and as soon 

 as potatoes grow in spring the bugs come up and attack them. They 

 commenced laying the eggs I send you about May 10. There is also a 

 slug from a fly that eats potatoes more voraciously than the bugs. 



If any member of the Club knows anything about these creatures and 

 what will deliver us from their depredations, we would like to know. I 

 know nothing but hunting them daily, and several times a day, and des- 

 troying them and their eggs. 



In respect to their influence upon the rot, I do not believe that they 

 have any influence either way, though my potatoes were last year almost 

 free from rot, the bugs being kept down, while others were badly affected 

 where the bugs had free course. 



Insects on Gooseberry Bushes. 



Mr. Vincent also says: " I have sent you some eggs of an insect or fly 

 which I fear is about to injure our gooseberry bushes Two weeks ago I 

 discovered that my bushes were covered with little yellow spots, which, , 

 on examination, proved to be eggs, on the underside of the leaf, and on 

 many of the berries. 1 had seen no insect or fly, though I had paid great 

 attention to the bushes. I picked them all off, also, from some wild bushes 

 in my garden, which took a great deal of time. Can you tell anything 

 about them ? and what is necessary to prevent injury from them ? This 

 day I have seen some flies about the wild bushes, two of which I send a^ou, 

 though I am not much of the opinion that they lay the eggs. I wish I 

 had some standard work on entomology; which do you think is a good one 

 to have ? I would like to inquire what standard work there is on the 

 Philosophy of Draining, where it is to be bought, and the probable cost ?" 



Dr. Trimble. — I will take these things and examine them, and see if any 

 of the eggs will hatch. Some of them have on the way here. These fine 

 eggs upon gooseberry leaves are often taken for rust, or mold. The best 

 work on entomology is that of Kirby & Spence, but there is a small work 

 by Professor Jager, that should be better known. Most of the scientific 

 works are too full of learned terms to suit ordinary people. 



Solon Robinson. — The work on draining that our correspondent wants, 

 is that of Judge French, of New Hampshire. It is for sale in most book- 

 stores at a dollar. 



The Melon Bug. 



Mr, Carpenter inquired if others had noticed that the striped melon bug 

 was not at work this spring ? He said it appears to have left our part of 

 the country (25 miles northeast of New York). 



Solon Robinson. — I have not seen or heard of a melon vine being des- 

 troyed where I live this spring. I prepared to put boxes around the hills 

 to keep off the bugs, but have had no occasion to use them. 



Do Bugs Bite Plants. 



Aid. Ely put this question for the consideration of those who are disposed 

 to observe, because he had lately read in a work approved by Prof. Agassiz 

 that they suck and perforate leaves but do not bite them — that they have 

 no power to bite. 



