1045. _Method to destroy or drive away Earth Worms, and other Insects, hurtful to Fields and Gardens._--Three parts of quick-lime, newly made, and two parts of soap-boilers' ley or potash dissolved in water, will produce a somewhat milky liquor sufficiently caustic, and highly hostile and poisonous to earth-worms and other small animals; for as soon as it touches any part of their bodies, it occasions in them violent symptoms of great uneasiness. If this liquor be poured into those holes, in which the earth-worms reside under ground, they immediately throw themselves out as if driven by some force, and, after various contortions, languish and die. If the leaves of plants or fruit-trees, frequented by the voracious caterpillars, which are so destructive to them, be sprinkled over with this liquor, these insects suddenly contract their bodies and drop to the ground. For, though nature has defended them tolerably well by their hairy skins, from any thing that might injure their delicate bodies; yet, as soon as they touch with their feet or mouths the leaves which have been moistened by this liquor, they become, as it were, stupefied, instantly contract themselves, and fall down. 1046. _To destroy Earwigs and Wood Lice._--A very simple way of ensnaring them, and by which they may be taken alive in great quantities, is to place four inch-cuts of reeds, bean-haulm, or strong wheat-straw among the branches, and also lay a number on the ground, at the bottom of the wall. In these the insects take refuge at day-break, as they depredate chiefly in the night; and any time through the day they may be blown into a bottle with a little water in it, and so be drowned. Or, a cheaper way is to burn the straw, and scatter fresh on the ground. 1047. _To destroy Fleas on Dogs._--Rub the animal, when out of the house, with the common Scotch snuff, except the nose and eyes. Rub the powder well into the roots of the hair. Clear lime-water destroys the whitish flea-worm without injuring the skin or hair. Oil of turpentine will likewise do so; but if there be any manginess, or the skin be broken, it will give the animal much pain. 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.