Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-08-22

with yellowish stripe down the back, and
a row of yellowish spots along each side
in Il line with the breathing holes. As the
stripes and spots are somewhat obscure,
some farmers do not notice them, and
think they have another variety, which is
possible, rs we have two native species
that sometimes feed upon the cabbage,
but they are sparse in numbers, and sell
dom seen in Vermont.
When about to transform it leaves the
plant upon which it feeds and takes shell
ter under the rails of fences, in stone walls
or any place convenient, and changes to a
chrysalis, which, though variable in color,
is usually pale green, speckled with mi
mute black dots, rs seen at b.
The second brood pass the winter in
this condition, this species, like our native
ones, having two broods each year.
REMEDIES.
The first that occurs to most when they
see their cabbages destroyed, is to quit
raising them, as they did the onion, for a
few years, and starve them out. This
cannot be, as they feed upon several plants,
even upon the willow, when other food is
.lot at hand.
The first method of attack is to cover
the young plant with mosquito netting,
held off from the leaves by sticks, usually
four Of them, set in the ground, and
piece of netting pinned on. This is done
in various ways, according to the tact of
the person doing it, and when properly
done prevents the eggs being laid upon the
leaves, and so the cabbage grows in secu-
rity. This costs, besides the labor, from
one to two cents for each cabbage.
If this is not done, picking the eggs is
the next method. They can be easily
found, and if attended to often they may
all be destroyed. Children can easily do
this, and are usually led to do it by the
promise of Il small reward for any certain
number found. When the butterflies are
seen about your garden then can easily be
caught in a net, as they are slow, lumber
ing flyers, and killed, thus crushing hun
dreds of eggs without hunting for them.
If the eggs have not been destroyed,
poultry, if in numbers, will pick off most
Of the worms, rs they are considered by
fowls as sweet morsel very desirable
But we cannot fully depend upon them to
do the work, though they will help greatly.
As they get into the very heart of the cab
bage head hand picking will not amount
to much more, but yet it will decrease
their numbers so that cabbages can be
raised.
Paris green or white hellebore, will, of
course, kill the worms, but should never
be used ,as it will lodge in the growing head
and endanger the lives of those making use
of the cabbage, Dust sprinkled on is also
effectua, but will leave grit in the head,
so as to iniure it for eating, yet is without
danger.
Carbolic soap.suds is destructive to
them, and if not too strong will not in
jure the plant. Fine saw-dust impregnated
with carbolic acid is also one of the best
things for their destruction. Superphos-
phate Of lime, fine SALT ashes and lime
have all been used with effect, yet nothing
of the kind is sure to kill all the worms.
Close attention to the plant Or perfect pro-
lection by netting, as first spoken of, is
the only way to secure n crop of cabbages.
If rs estimated that at least half mill
ion dollars worth of cabbages were des-
trOyed by it around New York City alone,
last year, and an average of two hundred
and fifty thousand dollars worth are an
nually destroyed around Boston, Montreal
and other cities, it shows beyond question,
that we have, in spite Of our warfare upon
it, an implacable foe.
We have thus far but one insect friend
that lends us substantial aid This is
species of chalcid fly, and so rapid has
been its work that of one hundred and ten
chrysalides, collected by F. w. Putnam
of Salem, Mass, at least two-thirds were
infested, and brought forth chalcid flies in
stead Of cabbage butterflies. In most Sec
tions, however, this help has not yet ar
rived, but will become general, doubtless,
in IL few years.
By placing boards elevated few inches
from the ground about your cabbages,
the worms will select these places for
their change to the chrysalis state, and as
those infested by the chalcid fly can be
easily distinguished by the livid and other
wise diseased appearance of the body, and
left to produce flies, while the healthy are
destroyed, you can aid your friends and
destroy your enemies. If the chrysalides
are all found healthy, You can make gen.
eral destruction.
ToctinO NiII.-T7ca oF Tootnmoto, o4o