166 



INJURIOUS INSECTS AND FUNGI. 



[Sept. 189G. 



least in ordinary seasons. In seasons of extreme drought this- 

 application should be repeated. 



Lime mixed with soot in the proportion of 3 or 4 bushels of very 

 finely triturated lime to 1 bushel of well powdered soot, forms 

 a pungent compound found to be very useful in similar cater- 

 pillar-attacks, and should be sprinkled close to infested plants. 

 A little sulphur mixed with this composition, at the rate of 

 1 lb. to a bushel of soot, adds to its offensiveness. 



Kainit, put on in a similar manner, near to infested plants, 

 has a marked effect upon the caterpillars. 



It is desirable to force the plants on with dressings of 

 artificial manures, as guano for turnips, and nitrate of soda, in 

 small repeated doses, for mangels. 



Potatoes should be well " earthed " where there is any fear of 

 infestation, and the earthing done early in the season. 



In market-gardens and gardens, and in the case of valuable 

 crops, as cabbages, lettuces, celery, radishes, carrots, and herbs, 

 hand picking is advocated. The caterpillars are generally near 

 the plants, just under the surface of the earth, which should be 

 moved with a sharpened stick or a small hoe, and the caterpillars- 

 picked out. This is, of course, an expensive process, but it might 

 pay to adopt it in some cases. In America baits of clover, 

 lettuce, &c, sprinkled with Paris Green are placed near infested 

 crops to attract and poison the caterpillars. 



Birds, as partridges, rooks, gulls, starlings, and plovers, are 

 devourers of these caterpillars, and should be encouraged. 

 Hoeing and dragging infested turnip-fields give the birds 

 exceptional chances to get at these night-moving insects. 



Moles also eat them, and should be protected, as they do 

 much good and but little real harm. 



