1851 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
829 
ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES. 
Bugs on Tines.— F. P., Lansingburgh,N. Y. There 
are several kinds of bugs which prey on vines—such as 
melons, cucumbers, squashes and pumpkins. The two 
species, however, which are most destructive, are the 
“ yellow-striped bug,” (Galeruca vittata ,) and the 
‘‘pumpkin” or “squash bug,” (Coreus tristis .) The 
former will eat any of the plants mentioned, while they 
are in the first or seed-leaf, though it appears to prefer 
cucumbers and melons. The latter is more frequently, 
and indeed almost wholly, confined to squashes and 
pumpkins. As to means of protection for vines, boxes 
with cheap netting fastened over the tops, have been 
used to advantage while the plants are small, and it is 
in this stage they are most- liable to injury. But it is 
well to examine the plants early, every morning, till 
they begin to run, fairly, and kill all the bugs, which at 
that time will be found mostly around the stem of the 
plant. The squash-bug continues it ravages through the 
summer, rearing successive broods of young, which feed 
on the vines. The only effectual way known to us of 
preventing their destructive course, is to regularly hunt 
and destroy them. The eggs are deposited in clusters 
on the under side of the leaves, and are of a bright yel¬ 
low color, which makes them easily seen, and that part 
of the leaf to which they are attached, may be plucked 
off, which will usually prevent the eggs from heating, 
but to make this sure, they may be rubbed in the earth 
by the foot. 
Planting Hedges. —C. E. R., Scipio, N. Y. The 
seeds of the Buckthorn and other thorns, may be plant¬ 
ed in the fall. (See Cultivator for 1850, pp. 67-69.) 
Raising Evergreens from Seed.—Inquirer, Pro¬ 
vidence, R. I. The seeds of the pine and most ever¬ 
greens should be gathered in the fall. The cones, which 
contain the seeds of the pine may be collected about the 
last of October, and by being laid on a floor in a dry 
room, will open so that the seeds will drop out, in the 
course of the winter. If it is designed to raise planta¬ 
tions of pines, prepare the land in spring by plowing, 
and the seed may be sown in rows eight feet apart, either 
by a seed-drill, or by making shallow furrows and drop¬ 
ping the seed by hand and covering it with the hoe or 
plow. Squirrels and mice are very fond of the seeds, 
and if the cones are- not gathered as soon as they fall, 
the seed will be likely, to be carried off by these animals. 
Gapes in Chickens. —C. R., Butternuts, N. Y. 
There is good reason to believe that this complaint is 
caused by a parasitic worm in the wind-pipe of the fowl. 
A successful remedy has in some instances been applied 
by extracting the worms. This has been done by taking 
a quill from a hen’s wing, and trimming off the feathers 
to within about half an inch of the centre, pointed at 
the bottom. This was put down the wind-pipe, and 
twisted round, by which operation, some of the worms 
were drawn out, and others so loosened that they were 
coughed up by the fowl. See Cultivator for 1844, p. 
305. 
Drains of Wood. —T. S. E., Salem City, Oregon. 
If you can get neither tiles nor stones, you will proba¬ 
bly find pitch-pine boards the best substitute. Take 
inch boards, ten feet in length, and eight inches wide. 
If the bottom of the drain is soft, one board should be 
laid on the bottom, and two others placed edgewise on 
this, leaning together at their upper edges. A drain 
may thus be formed, which in a tenacious soil will last 
many years, and will do much good. 
Grass for Woods Pasture. — L. M. M., Va. Sow 
Kentucky Blue-grass —Poa pratense —a bushel of seed 
to the acre. You can probably obtain it in Baltimore 
or Richmond. 
NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
A Muck Manual for Farmers. —By Samuel L. 
Dana. Third edition, revised and enlarged. Lowell: 
James P. Walker. 
Dr. Dana’s “ Muck Manual” has done the farming 
interest good service. It has been for sometime out of 
print, and we are glad that he has provided a new and 
enlarged edition. We presume, (though we have not 
critically examined the work,) that the author has im¬ 
proved it by such lights as the progressive knowledge of 
chemistry has been able to impart in regard to the com¬ 
position of soils and the food of plants. We have no 
hesitation in recommending the work to farmers as one 
of a useful character, and from which many suggestions 
may be obtained that will aid the profits of their labors. 
“ Fresh Gleanings” and “ Reveries of a Bach¬ 
elor.” —Our old friend and correspondent, Donald G. 
Mitchell, has favored us with his “ Fresh Gleanings” 
from abroad, and his “ Bachelor Reveries” at home. 
As testimonials of regard we prize them, but more for 
their real merit. No person, be he sage or youth, can 
read the simple, earnest language of that portraiture 
of meditative hours, without finding something to re¬ 
mind him of his own peculiar, and, as he had al¬ 
ways supposed, unknown thoughts. The author will 
be claimed as a friend by all who peruse his reveries, 
and many will leave his companionship “ happier and 
holier” men. We bespeak for Ik. Marvel the attention 
of those who enjoy the retrospect of youthful days, and 
would be pleased with the autobiography of what Car¬ 
lyle would call a “ beautiful soul.” We hope to hear 
from him as soon as leisure will permit. 
Lossing’s Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolu¬ 
tion.— We have received No. 16 of this interesting and 
beautiful work. It abounds, as former numbers have 
done, with original illustrations sketched by Mr. Lossing, 
and which are executed in a style not surpassed by any 
work of the day. We have said before, (what may 
with propriety be repeated,) that this work ought to be 
in every family in the United States. Published by 
Harper & Brothers, New-York. 
Harper’s-New Monthly Magazine. —The Septem¬ 
ber number contains a continuation of the biography of 
Bonaparte, by John S. C. Abbott. „ This article has 
six spirited illustrations. The next is an article, on the 
Treason of Arnold, by Benson J. Lossing, with sixteen 
illustrations. The number contains the usual amount 
of interesting reading. Published by Harper & Broth¬ 
ers, New-York, at $3 a year. 
