Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-06-09

black and yellow striped bug feeds occa-
sionally on the leaves Of the potatoes, and
by that arrangement being provided with
a choice of food, the mischief becomes d.
*ided between the two plants, and protec-
ton is much easier bestowed on the
squashes. Pumpkins planted in potato
field, sticking the seeds in the hills, and
left to their own chance, have seldom
known to be materially injured. Millnet
frames may answer good purpose, but it
would be expensive for large cultivation.
besides they deprive the plants Of some
portion Of air, and heat, and cannot pro-
tect beyond certain narrow limits, which
the vines will soon outrun.
hare tried at various times, ingredients
recommended as effectually offensive to
those insects, such as spirit of turpentine
placed in clam shells among the squash
and melon vines such, again, as clans
placed in number round the plants, in the
expectation tina, the effluvia Of their decay
would drive the insects away, but this was
all in vain, and ofmany experiments made,
have found none useful, bat to sprinkle
ground Plaster of Paris OUer the plants,
whilst the ieW cas on, in such manner
that the leaves, the stalks, and the heart
shall all be covered with substantial coat
of the same, and to lay it also on the soil,
six inches rouad the butts Of the plants;
ahis will give an effectual protection, pro-
vided the plaster dressing should be re-
.newed whenever, and as often as, rain or
wind will render it needfnl. Under this
system l have had squash beds prosper
greatly, and have an impression that the
plaster assisted, not merely as protection
against the insects, but also as manure
or stimulant. When plantation consists
only of few hills, there is no way so sure
as the old one, to visit them as soon as
day light, whilst the bugs are under the
torpic influence Of the nights chill, and
destroy them with the fingers. But when
plantation. extensive, it is considera-
bic undertaking, and in such case the
use ofthe plaster is valuable.
From the torpid state in which we find
said bugs in the morning, I doubt much
schether it Mould ansver any purpose to
light blaze of any kind, in the night.
near the planted spot, Nth an expectation
that the bugs aCOuld be attracted by, and
fly into 1t. The chill of the night renders
them stiff, and deprives them almost en-
tireiy Of the power of motion. The noe
turnal insects, whose appointed time of ac-
tivity is the night, are attracted by the
light; accordingly, we find, in summer
evenings, the various species of moth, the
large brown beetle, and smaller black
ones, attracted by the light of candles, and
fly into it. These rest, and are torpid,
in the day time. We never find butter
flies, nor any other kind of insects, which
are active in the day, to make their APP
pearance in the evening in our dwellings
and about our lights.
The plaster / have used for the dressing
of squashes and melons, is that kind pre-
ferred by the farmers of Pennsylvania, be-
ing streaked with red, and l have prepar-
ed it according to the method of Europe,
by getting it calcined and then ground,
which / have been assured renders its
powers much more active. / have used
1t with success for corn and potatoes, but
shall not enter on the subject at present.
In the mean while, as it may be pleasant
to some members of the Horticultural So
.ciety, to try what degree Of efficacy it
may have for the object of our inquiry,
which isthe protection Of vines, l shall do
myself the pleasure to send you, soon, a
few small packets of the same, for their
acceptance, and remain sincerely your
friend and servant, ]. M. GOITRGAS.
Mr.. J. B. RUSSELL,
Member of the Council of the Mass Hort Soc.