;328 
Queries, Answers, Remarks, S)-c. 
On Destroying Ants. —Geiitlemen, observing- in pages aiid 279, of }oiii- 
llegister, two enquiries respeeting the best method of destroying Ants 1 beg to 
inform your Correspondents that amongst many trials to destroy them, I have met 
with none so effectual as that of giving every encouragement to the Common Toad. 
I liave for several years paid attention to these reptiles, and so has every person 
under my control, in-so-much, that I have sometimes had as many as three or four 
dozen j some of which have become so domesticated that 1 have taken them in one 
hand and exhibited their food in the other, .which they have taken with the great 
composure. So much store do my family, as well as myself, set by them, that my 
two little girls are in the habit of bringing them home in their hands, from the 
roads and fields, with as much delight :is they would the choicest objects. Those 
I recommend, are about three ounces weight, and from the observations 1 have 
made of their progress, I should calculate about five years old. This size ap¬ 
pears more lively than the larger ones, and 1 have often known them remain for 
several days together, at the mouth of the hole where the Ants congregated \ and 
such is their agility, that they will take the Ants, when on the wing, as quick as 
they come within reach ; and their instinct is so great, that if you erect a habita¬ 
tion for them contiguous to the resort of the Anis, they will remain, and consider it 
their dwelling; and should they be taken and placed in another part of the garden 
or house, they will endeavour to return to their old station again. The quantity 
of insects they devour is immense, as they have a very quick digestion. 
I have preserved and protected them, for more than twenty years. My reason 
for commencing it, originated from the circumstance of a friend of mine calling on 
me, who on observing the hot-beds so much infested, and concluding the crops 
would be destroyed, advised me to introduce Toads as a certain remedy, and to 
my great surprise and satisfaction, I observed them the next day devouring the 
Ants as fast as I was able to count them. From that tine I have observed with 
satisfaction, that wherever Toads are encouraged. Ants will disappear, l.much 
regret that these useful creatures should meet with the ill-treatment they often do, 
even from gardeners. I have oflen been almost insulted for harbouring them my¬ 
self, and 1 have scarcely met with one individual that half appreciated their value. 
When trees are infested with Ants, confine the Toads behind a hoard .set on edo-e 
until they become h-abituated to the spot. 
J. Stafford. 
On Destroving Ants. —Gentlemen, in your Register, No. G, p. 278—9, are 
two queries, as to the destruction of Ants within doors, and without. I have known 
common frames for Cucumbers and Melons completely cleared of Ants which in¬ 
fested them, by merely confining a Toad in them. The poor Toad is loathed and 
persecuted by many who should know better, for he is very serviceable in preying 
on worms, grubs, and insects of .various kinds. J. M. might easily avail himself 
of his services in the house for Cucumbers, but it would require some contrivance 
to enable him to get at the Ants in a wall, as described by W. W. I have no 
doubt that the Hedgehog would he of great service confined in a walled garden, as 
he feeds on Grubs, Worms, Snails, Slugs, &c. 
Norfolk. . II. S 
Tigridia Pavonia. —Will you, or any of your Correspondents, do me the 
favour to inform me, of the best method of raising the Tigridia Pavonia, from 
seed, and of its general management, compost, &c. 
C. N. 
