1048. To clear Gardens of Vermin, by Ducks.—Ducks are excellent vermin-pickers, whether of caterpillars (such as are within their reach), slugs, snails, and others, and ought to be turned into the garden one or two days every week throughout the season. Never keep them longer in than two or three hours at a time, else they become indolent. While here, they should have a little water set down to them, if there be no pond or stream in the garden.
Never turn them into the garden in the time of heavy rains, or in continued wet weather, as in that case, and particularly if the soil be stiff, they patter and harden the surface, to the great injury of small crops and rising seeds.
1049. The use of Garlic against Moles, Grubs, and Snails.—Moles are such enemies to the smell of garlic, that, in order to get rid of these troublesome and destructive guests, it is sufficient to introduce a few heads of garlic into their subterraneous walks. It is likewise employed with success against grubs and snails.
1050. To prevent the destruction of Field Turnips by Slugs.—A few years since, a considerable farmer, near Bath, observing the turnips in one of his fields strongly attacked by something, discovered, by accident, that the enemy was really a slug; and immediately prevented farther damage by well rolling the whole field, by night, which killed all the slugs.
N. B. This was the grand secret which was advertised for two thousand subscribers, at one guinea each, by W. Vagg, for destroying the fly in turnips—which it will not do!
1051. Method of destroying Insects on Fruit Trees.—Make a strong decoction of tobacco, and the tender shoots of elder, by pouring boiling water on them; then sprinkle your trees with the same (cold) twice a week, for two or three weeks, with a small hearth-brush, which will effectually destroy the insects, and the leaves will retain their verdure until the fall of the year.
If used early, as soon as the bud unfolds itself, it will probably prevent the fly. The effect of tobacco has been long known, and elder-water frequently sprinkled on honeysuckles and roses, has been found to prevent insects from lodging on them.