horticulture. 



(2.) In America destructive poisoned baits are employed. Small bunches of 

 green clover are dipped in a solution of Paris Green and placed among the plants. 

 When the baits are examined each morning many cut worms are found sheltering 

 beneath the clover. Poisoned bran has also been found very effective. Paris Green 

 is well-mixed with bran in a proportion of 1 lb. to a bushel, the bran is then mois- 

 tened with water and small handful s placed among the plants. It is found that 

 the cutworm often prefers the bran to the growing plant. Poisoned leaves (mullein) 

 have been found a good bait in America. The common English Mullein (Aaron's Rod) 

 Verbascum thapsus, which is thoroughly naturalised in Nuwara Eliya maybe tried. 



(3.) A heavy dressing of kainit or other alkaline manure is a recognised 

 deterrent against all subterranean grubs. 



(4.) Smooth conical holes sunk in beds are sometimesfound successful as traps. 

 Caterpillars wandering about at night falling into these pits are unable to climb out. 

 Empty jam tins sunk level with the soil will form good pitfalls. 



Among local precautions and remedies which have been tried with success it 

 has been found a good plan to sow your seed with a large quantity of seed of the 

 common mustard. The mustard sprouts up first and the grubs have been found to 

 prefer the mustard and not to attack the good plants so much. After some time 

 when the good plants have outgrown liability to be attacked the mustard is pulled 

 out. Carrots planted in this manner are in a great way saved from this pest. A large 

 dressing of lime on the surface has also been found useful, and our gardeners have for 

 along time used the chopped up leaves of a wild lobelia (Lobelia Nocotianifolia) 

 known to the Sinhalese as " kiri bamboo," owing to the acrid juice given out of its 

 cylindrical stein, and to the Tamils as " poila colla," in that it has a strong smell 

 of tobacco, and which grows abundantly along our streams and ourpatnas as a suc- 

 cessful bait. 



