47 



tion, whether by general encouragement of insectivora in the fields, or the more limited 

 application available in the garden." 



8. The Pear-Tree Slug Worm (Selandria cerasi) 



is'a very familiar insect in Canada, (fig. 28) ; though I cannot say that our species is 

 identical with .that found in England, Eriocampa adumbrata, it is at any rate very 



similar to it, both in appearance and habits, 

 district round Dalkeith. t f The easily applied remedies of a 



In 1878 this insect did much damage in the 



dusting of caustic lime, or a 



heavy syringing of the tree with strong soapsuds, are generally very effective in getting 

 rid of this pest." A full account of this insect is given by Mr. Saunders in our Report for 

 1874. 



9. The Gooseberry or Currant Saw-fly (Nematus ribesii), 



our well-known pest (fig. 29), is recorded as being very prevalent, both in 1878 

 and 1879. In this country we are able to keep it in check by the use of powdered white 



hellebore, and I have never heard of any ill effects 

 being produced by the employment of this poison. A 

 writer, however, relates that on one occasion " I dusted 

 my bushes with white powdered hellebore, and ten 

 days after (being dry weather from the time they were 



, / V \ dusted) a tart was prepared of berries from these bushes. 



£ V After partaking of the tart we all got seriously ill, but 



recovered, and next day we were all right. Since that 

 period I never again made use of hellebore for destroy- 

 ing caterpillars on berry bushes. The remedy I have 

 used ever since instead of hellebore, with equal success, 

 is flour of sulphur. It is easily applied by dusting 

 it over the bushes with a pepperbox while they are 

 under the morning dew ; or, if during dry weather, the 

 bushes ought to be watered and then dusted. It is 

 only necessary to dust the lower part of the bushes if 

 taken in time. The use of sulphur is perfectly safe, 

 and berries may be used at any time after its applica- 

 Figure 29. tion." 



Fig. 30. 



10. The Asparagus Beetle ( Crioceris asparagi ) 



is an insect that has come over from England, and become 

 very destructive on Long Island and in other parts of the 

 State of New York. In fig. 30, this insect is shown in 

 in its various stages. It is quite common, apparently, 

 throughout England. The following remedies are set forth : 

 — " The mixture consists of half a pound of soft-soap, quarter 

 of a pound of flour of sulphur, and about the same quantity 

 of soot, well mixed together in a pail of warm water. In 

 this the infested shoots were dipped ; and on inspection the 

 next day it was found to have cleared the larvae. The plants 



