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Letter to Editor
May 12, 1738
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
On May 18, 1738, Philo-Patris shares with the printer a successful remedy against canker-worms ravaging wheat crops, learned from a Gloucester County gentleman: dig a foot-wide, spit-deep perpendicular trench around fields to trap the worms, supplemented by turkeys to eat them.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Sir,
May 18, 1738.
Doubt not but you have heard of the severe Plague of Canker-worms, that are at this Time devouring the Wheat all over the Country. A compleat Remedy for so great an Evil, is hardly to be hoped for: But I have tried one Thing, upon the Experience of a Gentleman of Glocester County, with good Success. I have ordered a small Trench, a Spit deep, and a Foot wide, to be dug all round the Field, very near the Edge of the Wheat. The Sides of the Trench are so perpendicular, that when these Worms are in, they can't get out again. It is amazing how many of them fall into this Trench, some marching towards the Wheat, and some out of it. I sent a good Number of Turkies to devour them in the Trench, but tho' they filled their Bellies, yet they left Millions. It may perhaps be of Service to the Country, to insert this into your Gazette: I should have communicated it sooner, but that I have lately convinced myself of its Success. You will, I hope, make Amends, by dispersing this Gazette with the utmost Expedition all over the Country. I am,
Your humble Servant,
PHILO-PATRIS.
May 18, 1738.
Doubt not but you have heard of the severe Plague of Canker-worms, that are at this Time devouring the Wheat all over the Country. A compleat Remedy for so great an Evil, is hardly to be hoped for: But I have tried one Thing, upon the Experience of a Gentleman of Glocester County, with good Success. I have ordered a small Trench, a Spit deep, and a Foot wide, to be dug all round the Field, very near the Edge of the Wheat. The Sides of the Trench are so perpendicular, that when these Worms are in, they can't get out again. It is amazing how many of them fall into this Trench, some marching towards the Wheat, and some out of it. I sent a good Number of Turkies to devour them in the Trench, but tho' they filled their Bellies, yet they left Millions. It may perhaps be of Service to the Country, to insert this into your Gazette: I should have communicated it sooner, but that I have lately convinced myself of its Success. You will, I hope, make Amends, by dispersing this Gazette with the utmost Expedition all over the Country. I am,
Your humble Servant,
PHILO-PATRIS.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
What themes does it cover?
Agriculture
What keywords are associated?
Canker Worms
Wheat
Remedy
Trench
Turkeys
Glocester County
Plague
1738
What entities or persons were involved?
Philo Patris
Sir
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Philo Patris
Recipient
Sir
Main Argument
a remedy for the canker-worm plague devouring wheat involves digging a perpendicular-sided trench around the field to trap the worms, preventing their escape, with turkeys used to devour them in the trench.
Notable Details
Based On Experience Of A Gentleman Of Glocester County
Worms Fall Into Trench While Marching To Or From Wheat
Turkeys Devour Many But Leave Millions