The National tribune., 1881-12-24

insects is by far more powerful than outdoors
Different species of insects differently affected
! 10y the powder. Some resist its action most
ettectually; of such are very hairy caterpillars
and especially spiders of all kinds; while Others
| especially all hymenoptera, succumb most
readily In no case are the insects killed in
stantly by pyrethrum they are rendered per
fectly helpless a few minutes after application,
but do not die till some time afterward, the
period ranging from several hours to two or even
three days, according to the species. Many
insects that have been treated with pyrethrum
show signs of intense pain, while in others the
outward symptoms are much less marked. Diff
ferenceS in temperature and other meteOrolog gical
changes do not appear to have any influence on
the effect of pyrethrum.
The modes of application will be considered
in our next.
KEEPING LAWNs.-There is nothing that dis
figures a lawn much the annual grasses
which invariably ntrude during summer, es-
pecially on lawns that are occasionally watered,
or in seasons of frequent rains; water and heat
give them such luxurance that the finer grasses
are choFed ont of existence; and as these sum-
mer grasses are killed by the first frost brown
patches make their appearance and the lawn pre-
sents thing of "shreds and patches instead of
the lively green so desirable when all the sur
rounding deciduous vegetation shows the "sere
and yellow leaf"
If these brown patches are removed by an iron
toothed rake and the spaces thus left bare receive
a slight covering of inch in depth of fine soil
al
(POG prGtensis,) and smooth it with the roller, or
rake it lightly over they will again become green
in due time.
To keep lawn in permanently good condi-
tiOn it is necessary TO top dress it with manure
at least each alternate year; compost of well
rotted manure mixed with good surface soil is
the best application. This should be spread
evenly over the surface previous to hard freez-
ing, breaking it up with rake so that the finer
particles may disappear through the leaves; per-
haps there is no better mode of making a lawn
unsightly during winter than by covering it with
rough, strawy fresh manure.
MEDICAGo SATIvA (Lucerae 14lfalfa or Chill
C0uer This forage plant, originally from the
south Of Europe. has been cultivated from time
immemorial, and to some extent in each of the
four quarters of the globe. 1t succeeds in warm
climates where other popular forage plants can
not be successfully cultivated; hence its wide
dissemination and the high esteem in which it is
held il semi-tropical countries 1t is plant not
well adapted to take place in modern systems
of rotative cropping, owing to the time it requires
to obtain It's best maturity, which is not under
three years from the time Of sowing, but as COM
pensation it can be maintained in permanent
utility for ID 20 years, if occasionally assisted
by surface manurng. 1t is particularly valuable
for covering sloping surfaces in fields that are
subject 10 washing or being cut by heavy rain
falls. Being deep-rooting plant it holds On to
its position with great tenacty, and it's tough
roots and thick growth Of stems prevent the re-
moval of soil from denudation by water
1t fOurishes in greatest perfection in open
fiable rich soils that admit the easy penetration
ofits perpendicular roots but even on poor clayey
or gravelly surfaces it may be encouraged to grow
by mulching and covering with strawy manure
until the roots gain strength, and they Will ulti-
mately reach downwards where they will be
uninfuenced by ordinary dry sea-
sons and furnish green food for cattle when other
plants may fail.
1t starts into growth at very early period in
spring, and yields pasturage in advance of the
usually cultivated grasses or clovers It is most
valuable as green forage plant, although it can
also be made into hay if cut immediately after it
TO blossom; if cut earlier than this |
it viii be soft and Indifferent if much later |
hard and unpalatable woody and innutritious.
When properly managed it is a valuable aux
lliary in supplying food for live stock on the
farm.
FROsTs AND INsECTs-It is generally con-
sidered that a very severe winter is destructive
to insect life and it probably is to some extent
in the of those who hibernate near the
surface, but the greater number get down sut1i-
GENTLY deep to be out of the reach of injury
from frost. Flowing digging up the ground
IN the fall has the effect Of destroying many
insect larvae by bringing them to the surface,
where they are killed by the exposure. If closely
followed up and the ground turned over two or
hree tiHeS during the winter, taking advantage
u such thawS as may occur, Or even turning
)Ver the frozen soil with picks or crOwbars very
title insect life will be left. OF course such a
proceeding would only be advisable in special
;ases For instance we have known an orchard
If plum trees which were relieved of the curcuio