282 
THE CULTIVATOR 
Aug 
NOTES FOR THE MONTH. 
Acknowledgments. —Communications have come lo hand, since 
our last, from S. W. Johnson, Linus Cone, A Young Parmer, H. B. 
D., Thomas W. Field, W. R. Sanford, Prof. J. P. Norton, A Sub* 
sciiber, J. W. Proctor, S. T. Atherton, S. S*-, 014 Man of the Moun- 
tain, D, D. Devoe. 
“ Joint-Worm” in Wheat. —We have received a communica¬ 
tion from Alex. Rives, Esq., of Carlton, Albemarle co., Va., describ* 
ing the ravages of an insect known under the above name. Speci¬ 
mens of growing wheat, containing the insect were enclosed in Mr. 
R.’s letter. These we forwarded to Dr. Fitch, for examination, but 
we have not yet heard from him on the subject. We notice some 
remarks on this insect in the July number of the Southern Planter . 
The writer of that article says he has heard that a similar insect ap¬ 
peared a few years since in Dutchess county, N. Y., and appeals to 
us to know if this is a fact. In reply, we can say we have never 
seen or heard of the insect in this part of the country. We shall, 
however, doubtless have all that is known in regard to it from Dr. 
Fitch, whose observations we hope to ‘receive to accompany Mr. 
R.’s communication in our next number. 
Destructive Insect. —In a late visit to Onondaga and Cayuga 
counties, we were struck with the appearance of many of the or¬ 
chards, and in some instances of woodlands, which had been over¬ 
run, and the foliage eaten by a species of caterpillar. We learn that 
this insect prevailed to some extent in the districts named, last year, 
and that the fruit of some orchards was destroyed by it-; but it is a 
singular fact, that the localities where it appeared most numerously last 
year, are this year nearly exempt from their ravages—they seem to 
move on every year, to territory before unoccupied. It is evident, 
however, that they produce much injury, as the orchards where they 
prevailed last year, have failed to produce fruit, both that and the pre¬ 
sent season—the insect having actually destroyed the former crop, 
and so injured the trees that they were incapable this season of pro¬ 
ducing fruit. The caterpillar is not particular as to its food, as it de¬ 
vours the leaves of most kinds of deciduous trees which it meets with, 
such as elm, maple, oak, beech, apple, pear, &c. In some instances 
it this year devoured all the foliage within its reach, and, taking to the 
fences and other objects, died in myriads, before it passed into the 
chrysalis state. In size, the larvae resembles the common apple-tree 
caterpillar, and is not unlike the latter in general appearance, though 
the two are evidently of distinct species. The apple-tree caterpillar 
congregates in webs or “ nests.” The other spreads over the whole 
tree, and does not shelter itself under a web. The larvae spins a co¬ 
coon, and is transformed to a brawn moth, with a black head. It is 
a trifle larger than the common caterpillar moth. The insect is new 
to us. We hope it will receive attention from entomologists. 
The Wheat Crop in Virginia.—Micajah Da vis, Esq., of Lynch¬ 
burg, Va., writes under date of July 8th—“ Our farmers have har¬ 
vested their wheat in fine order, and though the crop is hardly an 
average in quantity, (much of it having been winter-killed,) it is of 
very fine quality—probably never surpassed, and rarely equalled. 
We are now suffering much from want of rain. The oat crop has 
been much curtailed by drouth, and corn and many vegetables are 
now suffering intensely.”- 
Crops in Georgia.—Richard A. Benson, Esq. of Macon, Ga., 
writes under date of June 30th, as follows: “ We have had an un¬ 
usual drouth throughout most of this state, until very recently. We 
now have copious showers. The oat crop is almost an entire failure 
—fall oats only succeeding at all. Corn is improving since the rains. 
The wheat crop is better than in several previous years. Sweet po¬ 
tatoes will be scarce, most of them dying in the * beds.’ Cotton looks 
small and badly, and the prospect for a crop is gloomy. We never 
have had more fruit. Water-melons have been in market for several 
weeks, and peaches and apples are ripening.’? 
Rambottillet Sheep. —We have received, too late for this num¬ 
ber, a communication from S. W. Jewett, Esq., of Weybridge, 
Vt, in relation to the French Merino Sheep, of which he has lately 
made an extensive purchase in France. Mr. J. will, we hope, furnish 
for this journal, a series of articles embracing his notes of agricultur¬ 
al matters, taken while in Europe. 
The Potato Disease. —We tender our thanks to Hon. John W. 
Proctor, Danvers, Mass., for a communication enclosing a letter 
from Prof. T. W. Harris, of Harvard College, in relation to insects 
which attack the potato. Prof. H.’S remarks are very interesting, 
and show clearly that (as we have always maintained,) the potato 
disease has no connection with insects. We regret that the article 
did not reach ns in time for this nu uber. It will be-given in our next. 
Downing’s Seedling Rhubarb. —In the proper season for using 
this plant, we received from Mr. James Wilson, of this city, a spe¬ 
cimen of this variety, orginally grown from seed by Mr. Charles 
Downing, of Newburgh, N. Y. We think it superior to any kind 
we have ever seen. In color and texture it resembles the Early Red, 
but is far more productive than that variety, while it is fully equal, or 
perhaps better, in quality. 
- % 
Correction. —In our June number, (page 212,) we gave a para¬ 
graph in reference to the growth of a pear tree, in the garden of Li¬ 
nus Cone, of Oakland county, Michigan—the statement there made 
having been communicated to the Michigan Farmer. We have re¬ 
ceived a letter from Mr. Cone, correcting a mistake in the article* 
The word “diameter” which occurs in reference to the size of the 
tree, should have been circumference. 
Do Toads Eat Stawberries? —According to the “official” re¬ 
port of a late discussion by the “American Institute Farmers’Club,” 
given in the New-York Mirror . Prof. J. J. Mapes said, “ Toads 
are very fond of Strawberries, and select the best for their own eat¬ 
ing.” This, as is said of other things sometimes found in print, is 
“ very important if true.' ,,) Toads have often been spoken of as use¬ 
ful in gardens, on account of their destroying insects, and being, be¬ 
sides, entirely harmless to vegetation. The singular trait which Prof. 
M. attributes to them is new, and as his statement may have the ef¬ 
fect to banish these useful little animals from grounds where they 
have heretofore been admitted, we take the liberty of offering in 
their favor the plea of “ not guilty,” to the above charge. The only 
authority to which it is convenient to refer at this time, is Dr. De Kay. 
In the Natural History of New-York, he says of the “Common 
American Toad”—“We must not overlook its value in diminishing 
the number of noxious insects. * * * It is a timid, inoffensive 
animal, and has even been domesticated. * * * They live upon 
insects, earth-worms, &c., which they always seize when in motion, 
refusing to touch any dead food.” 
. Seedling Apple. —Mr. Wm. Wilson, of West Milton, Saratoga 
county, has left with us a specimen of an apple which originated on 
his farm—the original tree having died five or six years ago. It is a 
small-sized, fair apple, evidently a long-keeper—the specimens being 
perfectly sound on the first of July; but it is not of superior quality, 
from its want of juiciness and flavor. 
Devon Cattle for Massachusetts. —Three Devon heifers, de¬ 
signed for Hon. B. V. French, of Braintree, Mass., lately passed 
through this city. One was two years old, and the others were year¬ 
lings—the former bred .by H. N. Washbon, the latter by James 
Blackman, Butteruuts, Otsego county, N. Y. They are decidedly 
fine animals, and will be a valuable addition to Mr. French’s herd, 
which before comprised some very superior Devons, formerly pro¬ 
cured by the officers of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Ag¬ 
riculture, from the celebrated herd of the Earl of Leicester. 
Materials for Manure. —August is usually the driest month of 
the year, and consequently most favorable to the reclamation of wet 
lands, and to the excavation of “ muck’ ’ for manure. Every farmer 
should provide subtances of some kind for absorbing the liquids of his 
stables and yards. Straw, or litter of any kind will answer for this 
purpose, but all farms do not afford this material in sufficient quanti¬ 
ty. We have often recommended the use of muck, or peaty earth, 
for this purpose, but the neglect of this substance—either from a want 
of a knowledge of its value, or some other cause—induces a repeti¬ 
tion of the suggestion. Muck varies greatly in value, but all is more 
or less valuable—especially as an absorbent of urine. It is, in many 
instances, a good manure of itself. The deposits of small swamps, 
usually covered with ash trees, surrounded by high lands, are often 
of this character. The muck contains less acid than that commonly 
found in swamps where evergreens grow. We have lately heard the 
