350 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ October 31, 1872. 



caucus, the habits of which need not be gone into ; the latter 

 is to be looked after in the spring, when the carcase of the 

 parent may be detected on the bark covering a party of 

 youngsters, quite prepared to go foraging. A species of Eri- 

 osorna also occurs on the Birch, and I found this woolly aphis 

 abundant in Kent during the past summer. There was a 

 flight of them on a calm day, composed apparently of winged 

 males only, the object of this migration not being obvious. 

 Wingless individuals of this species, and of other aphides 

 clothed with down, do occasionally pass, however, from one 

 tree to another, borne along by the breeze. Migration in this 

 way is uncommon, I think, and it is, therefore, still doubtful 

 whether the Vine pest, Phylloxera vastatrix, ever travels thus, 

 as has been recently stated. 



Many species of beetles resort to the Birch, finding food 

 there for themselves and their larva? either in the leaves or 

 the bark. Chrysomela Betula? is a pretty species, but rather 

 destructive where it is plentiful ; more injury is done some- 

 times by the beetles than by the larvae of this species, as they 

 greedily devour the leaves and young shoots. Several species 

 make the decaying trunk their speciality — as, for instance, 

 Rhagium inquisitor and Leptura quadrifasciata. It may also 

 be mentioned here that the caterpillar of the Large Red-belted 

 Clearwing Moth burrows in Birch stumps, where it is eagerly 

 sought by entomologists in the spring or early summer, the 

 c luse of much vexation to the soul of various gamekeepers in 

 our woods in the south. One of these, unaware that he was 

 addressing an entomologist, recounted to me with much 

 pathos the constant annoyance he experienced from the 

 wandering marauders of the " net and pin." They disturbed 

 his birds and cut his trees about, and as the wood he had to 

 watch was extensive, and he was not an Argus, his work was 

 heavy; worst of all, they used to bribe his subordinates to let 

 them pass with immunity ! 



Amongst the Lepidopterous larva?, indeed, a long list of Birch- 

 ±?3ders might be made out of those preying, not upon the 

 wjod, like the one just named, but upon the leaves. In the 

 v'cinity of London we find the caterpillars of the Buff-tip 

 iPygaera Bucephala) feeding on the Birch every year, some 

 years numerously, though I fancy of all trees it prefers 

 the Lime. Patches of the pearly black-dotted eggs are to be 

 detected on the leaves in June or July, and the party of 

 newly-hatched caterpillars (which may number from twenty 

 to fifty) is conspicuous on the leaf, because they feed closely 

 • •ompacted together, and their shining black heads and yellow 

 bodies, which are hairy, render them sufficiently visible, at 

 least to the naturalist, even if birds are not thereby attracted ; 

 but, as a rule, they eschew hairy larva?. At the end of the 

 first moult these companies of Buff-tip caterpillars divide into 

 smaller parties, evidently because they can then feed with 

 greater facility. When not eating they repose with the anal 

 c'.aspers raised in the air in a rather ridiculous manner, and 

 this habit they retain until quite adult. If a bough be shaken 

 on which they are feeding they fall heavily to the ground, not 

 rolling into a ring, and turn directly towards the spot whence 

 they have been ejected. Should one be handled, or even 

 slightly touched, it will make determined attempts to seize its 

 -enemy with its jaws — a circumstance I have not seen noted in 

 print by those who have written about this species. 



This caterpillar, according to a reverend naturalist of our 

 day, bears upon its body markings which are symbolic of the 

 mode in which the young individuals feed ; but it is so far 

 true that it has a series of interrupted black stripes arranged 

 with regularity on the dark yellow ground, which are best seen 

 in the nearly adult caterpillar. The legs and claspers are 

 black and shining, as also the head, which bears a yellow 

 »treak resembling the letter V. Both head and body are well 

 clothed with soft hairs. Mr. Newman observes very truly that 

 these caterpillars will feed upon a variety of trees beside the 

 tivo named; and concerning then- habits when full grown he 

 remarks, as many of our readers may have noticed, that they 

 wander about, crossing roads and paved paths, in search of a 

 resting place, where they become pupa?, only slightly concealed 

 by a few clods of earth or fallen leaves. He adds, " They 

 constitute then a favourite food of poultry, and are sought for 

 with great eagerness. Dame Partlet may often be seen scratch- 

 ing for them in my own neighbourhood under the Lindens." 

 The moth is sluggish, with purplish grey fore wings and a 

 3 arge ochreous or buff patch at the tip, whence the English name. 

 The hind wings are yellowish. The Latin name, signifying 

 " ^mil-headed," was suggested by a supposed resemblance be- 

 tween the moth with its wings closed and the head of a bull. 



Many of the caterpillars which feed on the Birch leaves are 

 rare and local — as, for instance, those of the Lobster Moth, 

 the Large Emerald, the Kentish Glory, and others of singu- 

 larity and beauty. That of the August Thorn (Ennomos an- 

 gularia), is not uncommon upon Birches in parks and gardens ; 

 it is a stoutish caterpillar, one of the Geometers or Loopers, 

 reddish brown in colour, and bearing four humps or protuber- 

 ances on the back and sides. This feeds in the summer, and 

 the moth, which is angulated like others of the Thorn family, 

 emerges in August and September, and sits in the day on 

 trunks of trees and palings ; at night it is especially fond of 

 frequenting gas lamps, in the radiance of which many speci- 

 mens immolate themselves. The Peppered Moth (Biston be- 

 tularia), which takes its name from this tree, has no special 

 right to it, since the caterpillar is almost a general feeder. 

 Near London it occurs mostly on Oak and Hazel. A small but 

 common moth, which bears the name of the Brimstone from 

 its predominant colour (Runcia crata?gata) , deposits eggs chiefly 

 on the Whitethorn, but now and then on other trees. The 

 species has sometimes been spoken of as one of the gardener's 

 foes, but it can only be so in a very insignificant degree. It 

 it possible that the caterpillars may wander from the Hawthorn 

 hedges to the fruit trees they enclose. So, also, it may be 

 discovered on such trees as the Birch and Willow, there being 

 to appearance two broods every year — three, even, it is thought, 

 in some places. The caterpillar of R. crata?gata is of a dull 

 purplish brown hue, and slightly humped. It is remarkable 

 for having two pairs of claspers or forelegs, which are scarcely 

 used in walking. — J. R. S. C. 



WORK FOR THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



Broccoli should now be laid down, of course with the heads 

 facing the north ; the mode of doing it is so well known that a 

 lengthened description would be needless. Take up and store 

 Carrots. A dry place underground, where the temperature is 

 not much affected by external circumstances, is the best for this 

 purpose. I once saw a house constructed for storing Carrots 

 and. Mangold Wurtzel, which answered the purpose well. 

 The walls were formed of dried fern, which after being cut 

 to a smooth face were a yard through ; some rough pieces of 

 wood were placed across the top at the required height, and the 

 whole was thatched-in ; the doorway faced the north, and the 

 internal temperature seemed very equable. Dress Globe Arti- 

 chokes with some rich manure. Continue to blanch Endive, 

 and earth-up Celery. Look well to Cauliflowers and Lettuces. 

 Pinch off decayed leaves, and dress with lime. 



FKUIT GARDEN. 



Continue to plant fruit trees of all descriptions. Now is by far 

 the best time. Put in cuttings of choice Gooseberries and 

 Currants, and make fresh plantations of Raspberries. The 

 pruning of Pears, Plums, and Cherries may be commenced. 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



The laying-out of new grounds, or improvements in old ones, 

 which may be in contemplation, should now be proceeded with 

 when favourable weather occurs. It is too often the case that 

 such operations are left till too late in the season, and are re- 

 tarded by the frosts and snows of winter, thus interfering with 

 the usual routine of labour during the busy months of spring, 

 when our thoughts and energies should be all in requisition 

 to meet those incessant cares and duties attendant upon the 

 season of the year. Prepare beds for Roses as recommended; 

 and where large collections in masses are contemplated, see 

 that the ground is properly trenched, and plenty of rotten 

 manure well incorporated with the soil as the work proceeds. 

 Depend upon it, in the cultivation of the Rose there is nothing 

 like laying a good foundation to secure an abundant and con- 

 tinuous supply of bloom. Continue to clear off all decayed 

 matter from the flower-beds, and prosecute the planting of 

 Tulips, Hyacinths, Anemones, Ranunculuses, &c. Spring- 

 flowering plants— such as Primulas, Polyanthuses, Iberises, 

 Arabis, and Alyssums of sorts may be brought from the reserve 

 garden and planted in masses in the beds, thus imparting a 

 cheerful appearance during the winter months and producing a 

 gay effect in the spring. Continuous and heavy rain during the 

 week has prevented much work being done in the flower garden. 

 Especial care must be taken of the Auricula frame to prevent 

 drip. If the glazing is not perfect it must be made so. The 

 plants should be exposed to a south-eastern aspect and have 

 very little water — once a-week will be ample. Every precaution 

 must be taken against damp, a free circulation of air at this 

 season being absolutely indispensable. Tulip-beds must be 

 made-up the first opportunity, and, as soon as the soil is dry, 

 plant. It is absurd to keep to one particular day, for the weather 

 may be fine from a month previously to the day of intended 



