The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-03-03
AGRICULTURAL.
CIub Root and Cabbage worn


For the benefit of Mr.. Summerton and 9TH
ers who may have had similar experience,
will communicate the result of some of my
observation with reference to these troubles.
Air slaked lime and unleached ashes, sown
broadcast in liberal quantities, I have used
for years, both as remedial agent and as a
fertilizer, with varying, yet never entirely sat-
isfactory results. At last hit upon more
efficient panacea in late fall Flowing and the
application ola generous top-dressing OF thor
oughly rotted barn-yacd manure evenly
spread, as soon as the earth was frozen firm
enough to prevent packing.
While, OF course, something depends upon
the propitiousness of the season, spring plow-
ing, applying coarse and impertectly rotted
manure; soil containing more or less unde-
cayed vegetable matter, and soil in soggy,
soured condition resulting from imperfect
drainage, are alike, in a greater or less degree,
productive of club root. But by recourse 10
fall-plowing, the frost is made an efficient
helper In the destruction of large numbers OF
insect larv@ in the humiliation of thousands
ofhalf developed weed seeds in pulverizing.
aerating, and sweetening the soil in the dis
indignation of the grosser elements of plant
food and materially aiding their absorption
and more perfect assimilation with the vari-
GUS mineral constituents. l will also add
that In my observation this same fall prepare
ton IS equally pertinent in its application to
other garden products, and especially so in
extensive onion culture, as has been satisfac-
torily demonstrated by the successive album
dant yields of this esculent on my grounds,
and by the partial or total failure OF others
who, If they possessed the requisite knoW-
edge, did not avail themselves of it.
The cabbage worm, as have had occasion
to know, is an unrelentipg enemy, and far
more serious one to dispose Of. An exclu-
slvely cabbage dietis probably most TO his
liking, but having successfully administered
about all the nostrums known to the garden
lug fraternity during the past season, am
prepared to state that his relish for medical
preparations is only equalled by the prolific
resources of drug vendors in prescribing and
compounding new and unheard of antidotes.
I find that they are neither disposed to va
cate their quarters or abridge their propensi-
ties under any influences, and that there is
therefore little hope for relief from their raw
ages after they have entered into possession,
except in the manner prescribed by Mr.. Sum-
merton. But the solution of the problem is
susceptible of being read by another method.
The presence of the parent butterfly in such
large numbers last season suggested the pos
sibility Of trapping them. So compound OF
simple syrup, oil of anise, oil of origanum,
spirits Of ammonia and water, for which
most winged insects seem to have q penchant
was prepared, and after packing the soil at
intervals through my cabbage grounds, was
sprinkled on the surface, and as was expected
large numbers of these, as well as other
winged insects were soon attracted to these
spots, when with an improvised trap made
from large hoop covered with coarse mos
quito netting. their ranks were rapidly deci-
mated, and AFTER two days persevering atten-
ton, had the satisfaction of CHASING them
AIMING the rare ,uriositips Much damage.
of course, had been previously inflicted, but
at the end of the season my cabbages exhib-
tied less of their markings than any others
observed on our markets, and as necessary
consequence met with reader sale.-CorT,
Country Gentleman.