Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-08-08
agricultural.
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lime Ior NoriouS Insects.

Although lime cannot be ciassed among
the universal and neyer-taiing dcstroyers
o, animal life. il Is nevertheless one Of
the most eficlciou> and easily applied
materials for eNpelnc large variety OF
n9xiouS insects. There are few species o..
these pests which viii not Dee dispersed By
one application OF lime In their larva.
stages. In addition to Its destructive
properties 10 insect life, lime, as l. wei.
known, acts also with beneficial results
upon the soil In view, therefore, OF it,
value Is destroyer Of insects, every far
mcr and gardener shou,d,eep d barrel or
more Of It on hand, ready for use when
ever required.
Among the first insects which appear
IN Spring TO which lime Is certain death,
Is the wc.l-knowu asparagus beetle The
l4rva Of this pretty little beetle Is a small
t.ack,>h, and rather shiny grub, which
feeds upon the leaves and bark Of the
asparagus, and when abundant. soon kills
the most healthy and vigorous plantation,
unless some destroyer Is applied. But a
few dus;iuc> Of lime over the plants aud
grub> Wal thoroughly annihi.aje this pest
ID, wc know rom experience. \ second
brood may appear, the product OF the
few gruoS which have escaped, or those
coming from ucishboriug grounds, but the
lime dust.ugs Wi. proven, any consider
able injury to the plants.
sLUG> oN FRUIT TREES.
There are several species Of SAW flies,
the larvae Of which are generally termed
>.ues, AMI they frequently appear in I'M
meu-e numbers on the pear, cherry and
other species OF fruit trees, eating out all
the softer portions OF the leaves, and
thereby preventing them from performing
their natura. functions, aud causing death
90 the foliage /. not 10 the tree Itself
These >lug> are covered with shiny skin
to which any fine dry duS, will adhere
very teuaciou>ly hut caust;c lime will
not only stick, but burn through the skin
and ali. tie >,ugs in very few moments.
Mt one OF these different species OF s.ugs
can withstand busting OF lime. and a Jew
minutes work and five cents worth of lime
vii clear the largest fruit tree 10 De found
in the orchard Of this widely distributed
and very common pest.
ruE FINE SAW Ply.
There are several species Of this insect
iuhabi,iug the United States. and while
they coldue their raya-es 10 the pines.
other cyergr,en> are sometimes attacked.
Their .ary,c arc LONG, yel.owish, s.ug-.ike
worms. spotted with black, and they free
quel,.y appear m such immense numbers
upon the pine as 10 entirely detoliate a
tree in q few days They are. however.
readily destroyed hy scattering lime over
them aud the leaves while vet with dew
IN the morning. Hundreds and thousands
Of handsome evergreens have been killed
through a neglect to apply this very sim
pie destroyer.
OTHER SOFT SKINNED WORMS.
There are scores Of other insects, the
larvae Of which have thin skins, and these
readily yield to applications Of caustic
lime. The grubs Of the three-ined leaf
beetle, make little Roadway under a coat
Of freshly slaked lime, although it Is not
certain death to them as with some other
kinds. There are 10 worms or caterpil-
ars which Will eat leaves busted with this
substance, hence they may all be checked
IN their progress by its use, if not killed
outright.
The same may be said Of those species
Of Insects which do the most injury 10
plants IN their perfect state, such. for in
stance, as the fca-beetle, 30 common upon
cabbage, cauh-fower, and tomato plants
IN carly Spring. Now, to those who find /
insect pest, in their gardens or on their
farm, We would say, Try lime first, and
Use 1t freely, and if this fails seek some
thing else.-IN. y. Weekly Sun