Queries^ Answers, Remarks, ^c. 
279 
to put in their paths, or of some other means of destroying' them, as I assure you 
the mischief they have already done me is very considerable, and they appear to 
be very much on the increase. Several dozen fine Apricots and Peaches were 
completely spoiled by these little vermin last summer; and if they increase at the 
rate they have as yet done, they will probably destroy the whole crop next year. 
J remain, your very obedient Servant. 
fFaruhworth. VV. W- 
Ants. —Gentlemen, being a subscriber to your valuable publication, I take the 
liberty of troubling you with the following query. 
I have a house heated by steam in which cucumbers are forced for a winter sup- 
j)ly. The house has lately become infested with dark-brown winged Ants, which 
are completely destroying the plants, and every means I have hitherto used to 
destro j them have proved unavailing. I shall detail the different methods 1 have 
tried, with their effects; and if you can suggest a better I shall be greatly 
obliged. 1 first mixed a paste, moistened well with honey, into which I grated 
very fine a quantity of Nux-vomica, and laid it on different parts of the bed, 
during the first day they ate greedily of it, but soon left it entirely off. I next 
fumignted the house with tobacco, which destroyed all that were on the plants at 
the time, but knowing that all on the bed, or other parts of house, would immedi¬ 
ately get under the soil, I did not repeat it. I then placed a number of flower¬ 
pot feeders containing honey and water, (as recommended by Speechly) but out 
of twelve pans, not more three dozen were caught in two days. I then syringed 
the plants with Strong tobacco-liquor, but that did not in the least annoy them. 
Imext sprinkled the bed with powdered lime; and afterwards with flower-of-sul- 
phur;—neither of which, had the least effect. Then placed slices of turnip rubbed 
with honey. 1 placed the feeders with a paste'of honey and flour at the bottoju of 
each, in the hopes of destroying them with boiling water when collected; but 
neither, seemed an attractive bait. I likewise strewed lettuce leaves cn the bed; 
but nothing seems to suits their palate so well as the flowers and tender leaves of 
the cucumber. 
At the beginning of this month, my plants looked remarkably well, with a pro¬ 
mise of plenty of fruit; they have now a stunted unhealthy appearance, every leaf 
being eaten in holes, and no sooner does a flower expand, than it is immediately 
filled with Ants,—I have killed 31 from out of one single blossom. I have repeat¬ 
edly watered every part of the house where I can with safety to the plants, with 
boiling water,—but they still keep increasing; although within the last ten days, 
I am certain I have killed on an average six hundred a day. 
Wishing every success to your excellent work, I remain, yours, &c. 
Lichfield, \^2\. J. M- 
Iris Pavonia. —.We have thought since we informed our Correspondent B. S. 
what were our views on the culture of the Tigridia pavonia, that we were mistaken 
as to the plant ho intended, but as the T. pavonia not uncommonly goes by the 
name of iris, and there being no plant strictly called I.pavonia, we then ventured 
to suppose the Tigridia was the plant alluded to; however, lest we were then mis¬ 
taken, and our Correspondent disappointed, we have now added a few lines on the 
culture of the f ’ieiisseiixia glaucopis, which we conceive might be what he intended 
as some years ago it passed under the name of Iris pavonia, as did also V, pavonia, 
x\ni\Morcea pavonia, none of which however latterly are scarcely known by the for¬ 
mer name. The 1 glauropis is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, has delicate 
