nd injure shrubs of
that kind, the substances mentioned below have been found very simple
and efficacious. In the autumnal season, let a quantity of cow-urine be
provided, and let a little be poured around the stem of each bush or
shrub, just as much as merely suffices to moisten the ground about them.
This simple expedient is stated to have succeeded in an admirable
manner, and that its preventive virtues have appeared to extend to two
successive seasons or years. The bushes which were treated in this
manner remained free from caterpillars, while those which were
neglected, or intentionally passed by, in the same compartment, were
wholly destroyed by the depredations of the insects. Another mode of
prevention is proposed, which, it is said, is equally simple and
effectual; but the good effects of which only extend to the season
immediately succeeding to that of the application. This is, in
situations near the sea, to collect as much drift or sea-weed from the
beach, when occasion serves, as will be sufficient to cover the whole of
the gooseberry compartment to the depth of four or five inches. It
should be laid on in the autumn, and the whole covering remain untouched
during the winter and early spring months; but as the fruiting season
advances, be dug in. This method, it is said, has answered the most
sanguine expectations; no caterpillars ever infesting the compartments
which are treated in this manner. Another method, which is said to have
been found successful, in preventing or destroying caterpillars on the
above sort of fruit shrubs, is this: as the black currant and elder
bushes, growing quite close to those of the gooseberry kind, were not
attacked by this sort of vermin, it was conceived that an infusion of
their leaves might be serviceable, especially when prepared with a
little quick-lime, in the manner directed below. Six pounds each of the
two first sorts of leaves are to be boiled in twelve gallons of soft
water; then fourteen pounds of hot lime are to be put into twelve
gallons of water, and, after being well incorporated with it, they are
both to be mixed well together. With this mixture the infested
gooseberry bushes by fruit trees are to be well washed or the hand
garden-engine; after which a little hot lime is to be taken and laid
about the root of each bush or tree so washed, which completes the work.
Thus the caterpillars will be completely destroyed, without hurting the
foliage of the bushes or tr