Mm 
ON DESTROYING THE GOOSEBERRY CATERPILLAR. 
necessary that -water be judiciously supplied, not dribbled out every day ; but when they are really in 
want of water, they should have sufficient to saturate the ball of earth in every part. 
If the first season's growth has been skilfirlly managed, the first week in February wiU be a good 
time to examuie the plants, to see if they are all right and fi-ee fi-om insects ; for, if any appear, this 
will be a good time to clean them, as the wood and foliage being iii-m, it is less susceptible of injm-y than 
at any other season. Each plant should be taken separately, and laid upon a clean mat, supported by 
two bricks, and well sp'inged with water heated to 60 degrees, turning the plant round so as to get 
at the underside of every leaf ; and this ^vl\l rid them of scale and every other pest. The plant should 
then be regulated, shortening the shoots to two or thi-ee joints, and tying them out at regular 
distances, to admit as much light and an- as possible amongst the branches. Observe the same rules for 
general treatment as in the first season. 
When the specimen is large enough for the pm-pose it is intended to serve, the stopping must be dis- 
continued, and the plant exposed to all the Light and sun possible. K it shows bloom before September , 
and the flowers are not requu-ed before the month of May, must be pinched out about the middle of 
September, which will induce the plant to break from the lower buds, and in most cases show bloom 
on short-jointed wood. By admitting air night and day, the flowers will grow slowly through the 
winter ; but, to jirevent them ii'om being injm-ed by damp, it is indispensable to keep a rather diy 
atmosphere. As the spring advances, heat, and moisture, must be increased, and on sunny days a slight 
syringing with tepid water once a-day, will greatly benefit the plants. AVhen the flowers begin to 
expand, water with the syi'iuge must be cUspensed with, but give plenty of au', as with a diy atmos- 
phere, the season of blooming maybe considerably prolonged, and the IxorawiU form a beautiful object 
for all pm'poses of decoration, either for the conservatory or drawing-room. 
It will be seen by the foregoing remarks, that there are fom- things especially to be observed in the 
successful cultivation of Ixoras, Jirsi, clean healthy plants ; second, free, light, sandy peat soil, with 
abundance of drainage ; third, gentle bottom heat at all seasons ; fourth, as much UgM and air as pos- 
sible at all seasons. 
ON DESTROYING THE GOOSEBERRY CATERPILLAR. 
By Me,. H. C. OGLE, Gardener to the Eakl op Ajsergayennt, Ekidqe Castle, Tunekidge "Wells. 
M MONG the many annoyances to which a gardener is liable, that of insects injm-ious to fruit- 
iCi trees and vegetation generally, is certainly not the least. The great number of commimications 
which have been pubhshed during the last twenty-five years relative to then' destruction, might lead 
some persons to suppose that they had but to adopt the means recommended by the various writers for 
their extu-pation to ensm-e success. That many persons have been disappointed hi then- expectations, I 
have no doubt. In some instances, I believe, this arises from mismanagement, or inattention in apply- 
ing the remedy as recommended; but I also know, that in many others it arises from the total ineffi- 
ciency of the means devised. Gardeners, hlie others of then- fellow-men, too frequently jump to 
conclusions — they do not sufficiently examine " cause and efiect" in their experiments and practice — 
they send forth to the world premature conjectures ; and although they may afterwards find out their 
error, few have the coui'age or disposition to correct it through the channel in which it could be of 
service, and to guard others from falling into the error wluch they have promulgated. 
The preceding observations, I considered, might not be out of place in wi-iting on the Gooseberry 
CateriJLllar. There are several species which attack this fi-uit-shi-ub ; but I have found none so trouble- 
some as the caterpillar of a species of saw-fly {Nematis rihesii). Now, there are a great number of 
popular remedies for the destruction of this caterpillar ; but, after ha'S'ing tried, or seen tried, most, or 
all of these, I confess I have little faith in either of them. It is a generally recognised prmciple, that 
prevention is better than cm-e ; and in this case, I am sui-e, it is particularly applicable. My plan of 
carrying out this principle may not be new to many; but, after ten years' experience, I am quite satis- 
fied it is efiectual. My mode of proceeduig is this : — In the autumn or whiter, at the time of digging 
between the bushes, I have fresh slacked lime sown over the whole of the ground with a liberal hand, 
more particidaiiy roiuid the stems, and about the roots of the bushes. The groimd is then forked over. 
About the middle or latter end of March, I have some more fresh slacked Hme sown about the roots 
and stems ; the ground is then raked. In about a fortnight or thi-ee weeks, this limmg is repeated ; 
and I then feel perfectly safe from the attack of caterpillars. The remedy is a very simple one — very 
easily applied ; and, I have no doubt, others yn]l find it quite as effectual as I have done. 
Mim^^^ 
