Co3IMn\ PLACE NOTES. 



263 



Eelworms. 



These creatures are introduced with the soil, and in order to guard 

 against their presence the soil should be mixed with kainit in the pro- 

 portion of two bushels of kainit to one cartload of soil six weeks before the 

 soil is used. The kainit should be very thoroughly mixed with the soil, so 

 that every particle of the latter should come under its influence, and the 

 whole should be turned twice during this period. Soil in which plants 

 attacked by eelworms have grown should be mixed with gas-lime in the 

 proportion of 3 lb. of gas-lime to a cubic yard of soil, kite? remaining 

 for three months, it may be used as a dressing for grass or garden ground, 

 but should not be employed for potting plants in. All pots, the brickwork 

 of pits, or anything that this infested soil has been in contact with, should 

 be scalded with boiling water. 



Caterpillars in Plums. 



The following reply was given to a question as to Soirie plums contain- 

 ing caterpillars : — 



" The caterpillars feeding in the plums are the larvae of a small moth 

 belonging to the class Tortrices (Carpocapsa funebrana). The codlin moth 

 (C. pomonella) belongs to the same genus. Stainton, in his 1 Manual of 

 British Butterflies and Moths,' mentioning where these caterpillars are to 

 be found, says : ' The larva? are very frequent in plum pies.' All the 

 infested fruit should be destroyed as soon as the attack is detected. The 

 caterpillars, when full-grown, bury themselves in the soil, probably about 

 three inches below the surface, and become chrysalides, so that if the 

 surface soil could be removed to that depth and be burnt, or buried 

 deeply (say one foot), the chrysalides would be killed. A heavy dressing of 

 fresh lime or kainit applied under the trees when the plums are getting 

 ripe would kill the caterpillars when they reach the ground; a similar 

 dressing in June would probably kill the moths when they emerge from 

 the chrysalides and are trying to reach the surface." 



Manure for a Herbaceous Border. 



When, as is sometimes the case, it is undesirable for some reason 

 to dig a border and work in stable manure, the following mixture should 

 be applied in March : at the rate of 2 oz. of kainit, 1 oz. of guano, per 

 square yard. Immediately afterwards mulch the border with well-rotted 

 manure ; this will supply humus to the soil, assist the retention of 

 moisture, keep the roots cool, and do away with the necessity of digging. 



