1031. The good effects of Elder in preserving Plants from Insects and Flies.—1. For preventing cabbage and cauliflower plants from being devoured and damaged by caterpillars. 2. For preventing blights, and their effects on fruit-trees. 3. For preserving corn from yellow flies and other insects. 4. For securing turnips from the ravages of flies. The dwarf elder appears to exhale a much more fetid smell than the common elder, and therefore should be preferred.
1032. The use of Sulphur in destroying Insects on Plants, and its Benefit for Vegetation.—Tie up some flower of sulphur in a piece of muslin or fine linen, and with this the leaves of young shoots of plants should be dusted; or it may be thrown on them by means of a common swans'-down puff, or even by a dredging-box.
Fresh assurances have repeatedly been received of the powerful influence of sulphur against the whole tribe of insects and worms which infest and prey on vegetables. Sulphur has also been found to promote the health of plants, on which it was sprinkled; and that peach-trees, in particular, were remarkably improved by it, and seemed to absorb it. It has likewise been observed, that the verdure, and other healthful appearances, were perceptibly increased; for the quantity of new shoots and leaves formed subsequently to the operation, and having no sulphur on their surfaces, served as a kind of comparative index, and pointed out distinctly the accumulation of health.
1033. Method of stopping the Ravages of the Caterpillars from Shrubs, Plants, and Vegetables.—Take a chafing-dish, with lighted charcoal, and place it under the branches of the tree, or bush, whereon are the caterpillars; then throw a little brimstone on the coals. The vapor of the sulphur, which is mortal to these insects, and the suffocating fixed air arising from the charcoal, will not only destroy all that are on the tree, but will effectually prevent the shrubs from being, that season, infested with them. A pound of sulphur will clear as many trees as grow on several acres.
Another method of driving these insects off fruit-trees, is to boil together a quantity of rue, wormwood, and common tobacco (of each equal parts), in common water. The liquor should be very strong. Sprinkle this on the leaves and young branches every morning and evening during the time the fruit is ripening.
In the Economical Journal of France, the following method of guarding cabbages from the depredations of caterpillars is stated to be infallible, and may, perhaps, be equally serviceable against those which infest other vegetables. Sow with hemp all the borders of the ground wherein the cabbage is planted; and, although the neighborhood be infested with caterpillars, the space inclosed by the hemp will be perfectly free, and not one of these vermin will approach it.