60 



and the young lice are crawling over the limbs; this takes place about the end of May or 

 early in June, according to the season. As soon as observed, the twigs where the young 

 lice appear, should be brushed with a strong solution of soft-soap and washing soda, or 

 showered with a solution of washing soda in water, made by dissolving half a pound or 

 more in a pailful of water. The emulsions mentioned for use against the Aphis may 

 also be employed with effect. 



The Bean Weevil. 



This insect, Bruchus obsoletus Say (B. Fabce, Riley), is 

 often exceedingly injurious to bean crops, especially in the 

 neighbouring state of New York. The wood cut, Fig. 36, 

 represents the tiny beetle life size, and a highly magnified ; 

 b, an infested bean from which the insects have emerged. 



In order to get rid of this pest, seed beans intended for 

 next year's sowing should be carefully examined in the 

 autumn or winter, and if found to be infested by the insect, 

 should be placed in tight boxes — tins would be the best — 

 in a very warm place. In a very short time, the heat will 

 ^ IG - 36. cause the creature to complete its transformations and come 



out of the bean ; it can then be easily killed by dipping in hot water, or left to die ; the 

 beans, if not badly perforated, may then be safely used for sowing the next spring. 

 f^~ ".-Another method, similar in its character, is to keep the beans in tight vessels in a 

 dry place over one year before sowing ; by doing so, the beetles will come out and die 

 during the first summer and leave the seeds in good order for the following year. There 

 is, of course, some danger of a failure to germinate, if kept so long in a warm and dry 

 place. Dipping for a few moments in very hot water just before sowing may also be 

 employed as a remedy. 



Cabbage Butterflies. 



Fig. 37. Fig. 38. 



There are three white butterflies whose caterpillars feed on the cabbage, all belonging 

 to the same genus Pieris, but the only one whose injuries are serious is the imported 

 sp scies, P. rapce, Linn. Fig. 37 represents the male butterfly ; Fig. 38 the female ; and 

 Fig. 39, a, the caterpillar, and b, the chrysalis. As this has become of late years one of 

 our commonest butterflies, every one is no doubt familiar with it ; and 

 every gardener must know equally well the green caterpillar, clinging 

 closely to leaf or stem, and resembling so nearly the colour of the plant, 

 whether cabbage, cauliflower or mignonette, as to be scarcely distinguish- 

 able without close searching. 



It is difficult to apply remedies for this pest as the caterpillar feeds 

 within the folds of the leaves, and any poisonous preparation applied 

 for its destruction is liable to remain within the cabbage and render it 

 unfit for food. This is certainly the case with violent poisons, such as 

 Paris green or hellebore; but the "Persian insect powder," made from 

 the flowers of the Pyrethrum, may be used with good effect. It should 

 be dusted freely on the infested plants, or mixed with water and poured 

 or syringed into them. While destructive to most insect life, this 

 remedy is quite harmless to man, and in any case can be pretty well 

 removed by washing before the vegetable is cooked. It has been found at the New 



