THE FRUIT GARDEN. 



395 



and perish aUogether in the cavity between the two hand- 

 glasses. 



The Wood-lov^se (Oniscus) is of retired habits, shunning the 

 light and heat of the sun. It is easily caught by placing bun- 

 dles of reeds, or bean-stalks, in which to shelter itself, like 

 the ear-wig, which is already described. 



The Earth-worm {Lumhricus)^ the Slug (Llmax), and the 

 Snail {Hchw), are all injurious to gardens, the former to gra- 

 vel and gi*ass-walks and lawns, as well as to tender plants. 

 The second extremely destructive to every species almost of 

 vegetables, and the third to vegetables and fruits. The former 

 are readily destroyed by watering the ground in which they 

 inhabit with lime-water. The second and third are only to be 

 subdued by carefully picking them up, and either destroying 

 them, or carrying them to such a distance from the garden, 

 that there will be little chance of their getting back. 



It is remarked of the common garden-snail, {Helex lior- 

 iensiSf) that having once attacked a leaf or fruit, it will not 

 begin on another until the first be wholly eaten. 



Ants {Formica). — This industrious species of insect is, in 

 light sandy soils, often very abundant. Some say, that they 

 eat and help to keep down the aphides ; at all events, wherever 

 tlie one appears in any quantity, the other is sure soon to fol- 

 low. They sometimes, however, commit sad depredations on 

 ripe fruit, excavating the whole of the interior with such nicety, 

 that it is not till the hand be put to pull the fruit, that the theft 

 is discovered. Their nests may be destroyed by pouring hot 

 water over them, or burning a quantity of straw or any light 

 matter over them. If a piece of cord dipt in tar be tied round 

 the stem of the tree, they will not ascend it. 



^^r. Wilmot's method of destroying ants, in the open garden, 

 is, by taking a straight rod, such as the handle of a hoe or 

 rake, and pushing it down two feet, so as to leave an open 

 round hole of that depth, the ants will precipitate themselves 

 into the hole, and from the smoothness of its sides be unable 

 to get up. Once a day, some water may be poured into the 

 hole, to drown what are there, and the round stick reinserted, 

 so as to maintain the smoothness of its sides. This mode is 

 known to several gardeners. Another mode is by placing 



