I have noticed of late, in your invaluable journal, there has been a good deal said about the destruction of animals and insects most annoying to the garden and farm, and having been, the greater part of my life, engaged in battling with these vermin, I mean from time to time to give you some account of my experience in these matters. For, I think I know the great value and importance of the subject to the public generally. If I have made any discovery or improvement in these matters, it certainly shall not be hid.

I do not think it is generally known that, that much abused Ailanthus tree, both leaves and bark, is a very good insecticide, nor that the Thorn Apple, or Jamestown weed (Datura Stramonium) is much better. I have found the dust of Stramonium leaves fully equal to, or rather better, than any of the patent articles sold in the shops - but I do not apply it to cabbages. Let these leaves be collected and dried in time, and rubbed or ground into a powder, and kept dry until spring; and let every farmer make his own insect powder.

I tried at one time salt water, lime water, sala-ratus water and tobacco water, decoction of Ailanthus and ditto of Stramonium. I had my caterpillars, etc., arranged in groups along a board, wet them equally all over, and while most of the other things killed in five. and six minutes, the Stramonium water killed in four minutes. This plant is widely diffused, and 1 believe within the reach of all. And this is another great advantage to the farmer, he has not far to go to look for his remedy - very often has it growing near his place. This will be found excellent for driving the slug from cherry and apple trees, but the tree must be wet and the dust blown on with a good large pair of bellows.

[Our correspondent has our best thanks for these very useful hints. - Ed. G. M.]