57 



green -would, of course, be effective, but it is too dangerous a remedy to employ in a 

 garden, especially as these worms do not make their appearance till the fruit is well- 

 formed. The only method, apparently, that can be recommended, is hand picking ; this 

 is not very difficult, as by shaking the bush the worms will let themselves down by their 

 silken threads, and can then be easily seen and gathered. 



Out Worms. 



These noxious creatures, the caterpillars of various night-flying moths, are but too 

 well known to gardeners everywhere, from their annoying habit of cutting off young 

 cabbage and other plants when first set out in the beds. They usually attack the young 

 and tender plants when they are only a few inches high, completely severing the stem 

 just above or below the surface of the ground. They are by no means particular as to 

 the kind of plant, but will destroy spring wheat, Indian corn, any kind of young vegetable, 

 tender annual, or even weed. Some species also have the further evil propensity of 

 climbing trees at night and doing great damage to the expanding Foliage and fruit 

 blossoms. 



The number of different species of Cut- worms is very large, but the accompanying 

 illustrations will enable any one to recognize some of the commonest forms in both the 

 caterpillar and winged states. Fig. 15 represents the Greasy Cut- worm, so-called from 

 the appearance of the caterpillar; the moth, (Agrotis ypsilon, Rott,) into which it trans- 

 forms, is shewn beneath it. This is one of the commonest of all our species, and has 

 apparently several broods in the year, as the moths can be taken by " sugaring " during 

 the summer and quite late in the autumn. 



Fig. 16. 



The other illustration, Fig. 16, represents the caterpillar and moth of the Dark- 

 sided Cut-worm (Agrotis Cochranii, Riley). This species is notorious for its nocturnal 

 habit of climbing apple and other fruit-trees and destroying the buds and young leaves. 

 <Many methods have been tried for the destruction of these pests, but owing to their 

 nocturnal habits it is very difficult to cope with them successfully. Whenever a young 

 plant is noticed to have suddenly withered and died, the culprit may, in almost every 

 case, be found within a few inches of the plant and just below the surface of the ground. 

 It is unnecessary to add that when found he should be ruthlessly crushed under foot. 

 Sprinkling the plants with air-slaked lime, ashes, or powdered hellebore is recommended. 

 When setting out young tomato or cabbage plants, they may be protected by wrapping 

 round the stem of each a piece of paper, extending a few inches up the plant and a little 

 way down into the ground. Where the buds and leaves of fruit-trees and vines are 

 found to be destroyed without apparent cause, search should be made in the ground at 

 the base of the tree, or under any rubbish lying near, and the enemy will generally be 

 found. 



The following remedy is quoted by Dr. Lintner, from a correspondent, in his Second 

 Annual Report, and is worth trying : — " One year ago I had a patch of beans entirely 

 destroyed by cut-worms. I planted it over ; as soon as they came up the worms began 

 again. I dissolved half a pound of saltpetre in three pints of water, mixed that thoroughly 



