INSECTS. 
67 
from feeding upon these poisoned insects, it will somewhat militate 
against the advantages of the plan. # , 
Several experiments were made in Florida by the writer, on the 
utility of using arsenic, cohalt, and strychnine, as means of destroying 
insects, some few of which succeeded, while many failed. In severa 
instances, the insects would not touch the mixture at all. 
Honey or sugar and rum, when rubbed on the bark of trees, will 
attract and intoxicate several species of insects, and might sometimes 
be advantageously used. Many planters nithebouthern States re- 
commend the berries of the “China-tree, or Pride ot China, (Melta 
azederach,) to be put around cabbage-plants, in order to prevent the 
attack of the cut-worm ; and, as it is already known that these benies 
have an intoxicating effect upon the robins which eat so freely of 
them, they may have the same narcotic properties when applied to 
insects It is at least worth while to make the experiment. Whale- 
oil soap, mixed with water, in proper proportions thrown upon plants 
infested with plant-lice (aphides) is almost certain to destroy them. 
Flour of sulphur is stated to be useful when applied to grape-vines, 
or any other plants which are infested with the red spider or are 
attacked by a fungoid growth. A mixture of a gallon of water a 
gallon of whiskey or other spirit, and four ounces ot aloes, was highly 
recommended in Florida as a certain remedy against the attacks ot 
the orange scale insects ; but, with some who have tried it, although 
all the insects appeared to be destroyed, in a few weeks they 
reappeared, showing that the wash would have to be continually 
repeated until all the eggs under the scales had hatched and t o 
younger broods were killed. Perhaps the same mixture might be 
successfully used for several other kinds of insects. 
But, while so many artificial modes are recommended to accomplish 
the destruction of insects, planters are very apt to overlook the great 
daily benefits derived from other agents which have been kindly pro- 
vided by Nature to check their undue increase. These agents are the 
birds, which constantly destroy them in any of their varied forms, 
larva pupa or perfect insect. Mocking-birds and bee-martins catch 
and destroy the boll-worm moth, and many others, even on the wing 
when the latter first appear upon the plantations, and thus materially 
diminish their numbers. If the fields are ploughed in the fall many 
insects and chrysalides, which would otherwise come out m safety in 
the spring, are turned to the top of the furrow-slice, and either fall a 
prey to the ever-busy birds, or perish from exposure to the wintry 
fr °The nimble and graceful lizards of the South also act beneficially 
to the planter, as they are constantly on the alert, and catching every 
insect that chances to alight in tlieir way. loads, also, do much 
loot as they wander principally during the morning and evening 
hours, as well as in cloudy weather, and entrap insects by means ot 
their viscid tongues. Such benefactors as these should be preserved, 
and not injured or killed as they often are. One pair ot wrens c 
blue-birds in a Northern garden, or of mocking-buds, on a Southern 
Station will accomplish more in uestroying insects injurious to 
vegetation' than can bl imagined h, one who has not studied their 
