The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1878-08-14

every SENSE OF Jne WOrui eAOSPO 0iioO
they pursue this occupation for their
own luxury and enjoyment, and much
to the intolerance of every farmer and
horticulturist. This is proof OF the
trait, which among human beings is
known as foresight. though doubtless
they do not deserve credit for the
diligence which indirectly is retard-
ing to the labors of our gardeners and
farmers.
1 will now endeavor, SO far as l am
able, to show up this little creature
in his work of gratifying at least one
of his luxurious tastes. He does not
experiment in the breeding OF his
stock, but such as he rears are cared
for with singular vigilance. The
mich cattle Of the ants are nothing
more or less than aphides, or plant
lice, the acquaintance Of which
every gardener must acknowledge.
Although these insects are to be
found in greater or less abundance on
most plants, yet it is not everywhere
we find the ants in company with
them. Should we, however, while
walking through a field bordering
upon a pine wood, stop and examine
the small, tender shoots Of some
struggling bush, most likely we would
find them together, and with the aid
of an ordinary hand glass, could bring
before us the mysteries of ant dairying.
We have, for example, delicate, ten
der shoot, branching from the main
stem; all along are to be seen these
small light-green insects, with their
suckers sunk into the tender bark,
absorbing its sap, which, after under
going process of digestion, is a fluid
scarcely inferior in delicacy to honey.
When the proprietors are not near to
receive it, this juice is thrown to a
distance by a jerking motion of the
body, being expelled through two
small, almost invisible tubes, project
ing in the manner of horns from the
back of the insect. Here and there,
are to be seen a number of ants care
fully picking their way among the
motionless little insects, apparently
fearful Of disturbing them. Watch
ing the movements of one of the ants,
we observe him approach one of his
COWS, pause moment, and then reach
up to the extremity of one of the
tubes and suck out the delicate nectar
1t is curious fact that the ants know
how to milk these little creatures,
should the liquid be difficult to find,
patting and tickling the aphldes on
the sides Of the abdomen with their
extended antenn@, AID eagerly drink
ffoOre urrp WINCH is N1mmed-y
lately discharged.
Thus the ants enjoy themselves I'M
til the time arrives when their herds
are to prepare for succeeding gen.
and to pass out of existence.
AS soon as the eggs Of the aphides
are laid, they are taken possession of
by the ants, who store them carefully
away in their holes, thus making
an early claim Of proprietorship.-
Early in the spring these eggs are
brought out and exposed to the infiu-
ence of the suns rays until Matched.
In the meantime all are vigilant in
guarding the eggs from injury, re-
moving them in their mouths to a
place Of safety on the slightest APP
pearance of danger. Thus these lit
tie creatures set good example to
the careless and negligent herdsman,
and well may he profit by the advice
OF DR.. johnson, contained in the fol
lowing lines, which were written with
reference to the words of Solomon:
Turn on the prudent ant thy needless
eyes;
Observe her labors, sluggard, and be wise.
\ o stern command, no monitory voice,
Prescribes her duties, or directs her choice;
let timely provident she kastes away:
10 snatch the blessings of q plenteous day.s
The ant being direct producer of
this noxious insect, it is Of course
working against the interest of man,
as before stated. Whether or not
the juice secreted by the aphides
is Put to any other use by the ants
than to regale themselves, yet re-
mains to be ascertained.-P. B. w. in
Country Gentleman.