The cultivation of fruits in this region is an almost incessant battle against insects. In addition to our old pests, we have now in Medford (five miles from Boston) and adjoining towns, a slimy slug voraciously devouring the pear leaves, and, for want of them, cherry leaves. I first noticed this insect in my garden, three years ago. It is about three-eighths of an inch long, and of a blackish green color - making up in number and greediness what it lacks in size. Some pear trees were denuded by these slugs in early summer, and afterwards put out new leaves. Some shed their badly eaten leaves the latter part of the summer and remained bare the rest of the season.

What is the best remedy against these pests? One of my neighbors used a solution of whale oil soap with perfect success. In the morning, when the leaves were wet, I threw wood ashes over some of my trees and air-slaked lime over others. The slugs covered with lime were killed; but most, if not all, of those sprinkled with ashes survived. A new tribe of these insects appeared about the first of September. Mystic.