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pnmiliônis) (Jig. 293. / ) : it inserts its eggs into the heart of the plant, and the larva
occasions so many to perish, that from eight to fourteen are lost in a square of two feet :
this, and Cecidomyia tritici, have been mistaken by many writers for that ten-ible
insect, the Hessian fly, wliich, fortunately for this countiy, still remains conflned to
America.
1661. The other Jiies that mmj he noticed in this place are the flesh fly, the cheese fly,
aud the gnat. The first (fig. 293. a ) is well known to deposit its eggs (b) both on raw
h
and cooked meat, when the slightest symptoms
of taint begin to appear. The young
lai’væ are at first very small (c), but progressively
increase in size; and when full
gi-own (d), quit the interior of their loathsome
habitation, and, burrowing beneath it, change
into an oval smooth cluysalis (e), of a deep
chestnut colour. Leuwenhoek has calculated
that the eggs of a pair of these insects, in
two generations (which would be produced
iu three months), would give the astonishing
number of 700,000 descendants. The cheese
fiy (M. pùtris) (g) iu its maggot state (A) is
well known to housewives by the name of
hopper : the chrysalis (/) is oval, smooth, and
brittle, and the perfect insect is a deep black,
with very cleai* wings. The common gnat
(Cùlex pipiens) (fig. 293. A), as a larva, resides
in water ; and hence the winged insect is always
most abundant near low and marshy
places. I t is not generally known that the common musquito of North and South
America, and of Europe, has every appearance of being the same species as that found
in England. There are, however, many other distinct, though less common, species
in the south of Europe ; and others in America, ornamented with beautiful metallic
colours.
1662. In the Apterous or wingless class o f insects, there are a few which demand a ttention
from theii* hurtful qualities ; these we shall notice, without entering into the
natural aiTangement of the tribes beyond what is stated in pai-agraph 1625. The red
spider or mite (A'carus telarius) (fig. 294. a, much magnified) is the most injurious, as
it infests the pine-apple, and other choice fruits, no
less than plants. Washing both sides of the leaf with
Read’s, or any other approved syringe, is considered
the most efficient remedy ; but the insects, dashed to
the ground by the stream of water thus directed
against them, must be afterwards eai*efully sought
after and kiUed ; otherwise they will again ascend
the plant.* Another mite (A. holoserieeus Z .) (A)
has also been called the red spider : both these are
very small, and may be destroyed in the same manner.
Caxi’Ots and parsneps are often much injured
by a small centipede (Ncolopendra eléctrica Z.), and
the different kinds of ringworms (Jù li Z .) ; all of
which form their habitations within the roots. The
wireworm, as before stated, does not belong to this
order. Figures c, and d ( f magnified) represent two species of ticks which fasten themselves
upon aud suck tlie blood of dogs. The woodlouse (Oniscus) lives secluded
from the light, and does gi*eat mischief, feeding principally upon young vegetables and
roots, especially such as are kept under glass. Another species (O. aquaticus Z .) (fig.
294. e) is aquatic ; it is of a small size, hut when magnified (g) somewhat resembles the
other. Spiders, notwithstanding the prejudices of many people, are useful in catching
and devouring insects.
1663. TFbrwwi ( Fermes Z .) are distinguished from apterous and winged insects by
being altogether destitute of legs at every period of theii* existence. I t wül be sufficient,
for our present purpose, to divide them into two artificial groups: naked worms,
which wiU include the earth or dew worms, and the different species of slugs ; and
shelly worms, or those provided with a shelly covering, such as the gai'den and banded
snails.
* Fumes of brimstone or, better still, the exhalation given out bv bruised laurel leaves, will more
efTcctually destroy the red spider than simply syringing the plants.
1664. Earth-worms (Zumbncus terrestris Z .), unless existmg in ^ e a t numbers,
cannot be ranked among injurious animals, notwithstanding the prejudices entertained
by farmers and gardeners against them. They perforate the earth in every p a it ; and, by
thus preparing it to receive moisture, accelerate the progress of vegetation. Worms
are considered, even to a proverb, as the meanest of beings ; but without them the world
would be a desert, and neither animal nor vegetable life could be supported.
1665. Slugs are the greatest pests to all cultivated plants and roots, upon which^they
alone feed. Many species are found in Britain ; that most common is the Zimax
agréstis (fiq. 295. a), or smaU gi*ey slug : its eggs (b) are small, round, somewhat transparent,
and nearly white ; they
are deposited in small groups
under the ground, and are generally
hatched very early in
spring. Slugs are well known
as particularly injurious to the
young shoots of wheat, and the
early leaves of turnips, and all
garden plants. Crows, rooks, and
other birds, search for slugs, and
devour them at all seasons.
1666. A particular kind has
recently been discovered in this
counti-y, called the shell-slug
(Testacéüus Maugè/ Fer.) (c). I t was found in some of the gardens near Bristol, by
Mr. Miller of that city, and is remai-kable for feeding upon earth-worms, without
attacking vegetables. On this account it may be usefully introduced, where, from par-
ticulai- circumstances, those animals have propagated too much. This genus is known
from all other slugs, by having a thin oval shell (d ) attached to the hinder part ot
the body At Bayswater, and some other places in the neighbom-hood ot London,
another species abounds, which has been denominated by Férussac, Zimax Sowerbyn
I t will be found figured and described in the Magazine o f Natural History, vol. v.
1667 Snails are slugs covered by a shell. The two species most commonly met with
in gardens, arc the large garden siiafl (Helix aspèrsa Gm.), and the small banded or
variegated snail (Helix nemoralis Z .) (e). Both these seek the same food as the slug.
In wet or moist weather, they may be found crawling upon the ground ; but during
wann days they are either concealed on the under sm-faeo of the leaves, or shelter
themselves close to the roots. The most effectual remedy against all the dilferent kinds
of worms and slugs is watering the ground infested by them with lune water.
BOOK V.
ON THE STUDY OF BOOK-KE E PING, AND OTHER SUBJECTS RELATING TO THE
SUPERINTENDENCE AND MANAGEMENT OF GARDENS.
1668 Whenever the culture and management o f a garden requfres more than the labour
of one man, one of those employed mnst necessarily be appointed to arrange
o fth e rest, and, in fact, to establish a general system of management. I t is only under
such a system that the performance of operations can he procured m the proper season,
and the objects in Yiew be successfully attained, and at a moderate expenditme.
1669. On being appointed to a situation as head-gardener, the first thing to be done,
in that capacity, is to survey the extent of the field of operations, and to ^ c ertain any
ncculiar products or objects desired by the master, so as to determine the number of
permanent hands that will be roquhod. Then the number of implements / km<î
Lu st be fixed on and procured, and au estimate fonned of the occasional hands, men
or women that may be necessary as extraordinary assistants at p a rticu ta seasons. I f
o n l y L r è r three permanent m /n are required, then one of them shoffid be ap p o in t^
foreman, to act as master during absence or sickness, and to ''V®
charge of the hothouses, or forcing and exotic departments. If, howevei, the situation
is of such extent as to requfre a dozen permanent
be found best to appoint a foreman to each department ; as one to the ar tificial climates
of the kitchen-garden, another to the open garden, one to the flower-garden and shrub