We shall now proceed to state several methods of destroying this numerous insect. The most simple of these is, to pour boiling water into the apertures of their hillocks. By mixing soot with cold water, and pouring it at the roots of trees infested by them, they will speedily be destroyed. Besides that already mentioned, there is another simple expedient, to prevent them from descending a tree which they visit. Nothing farther is required than to mark with a piece of common chalk a circle round its trunk, about two feet from the ground, and about an inch or two in breadth: as soon as the ants arrive at this ring, not one will attempt to cross it. This curious experiment, however, should be performed in dry weather, and the ring must be renewed, when partly washed off by rain.
The small garden-ants, which are supposed to devour the young shoots of fruit-trees, may be destroyed, by placing among them a number of large ants, which are commonly found in the woods; as there prevails between these two species of insects so strong an antipathy, that the larger sort attack the smaller, and never relinquish the combat till they have extirpated, or driven their antagoniots from the neighbourhood.
Mr. Clutterbuck, jun. of Watford, washed the walls of his hot-house with a painter's brush, dipped in a solution made of four ounces of sublimate, in two gallons of water; and since that application, neither the red spider, against which this remedy was employed, nor ants have made their appearance.
One of the most effectual methods of dispersing these troublesome insects from plantations and gardens, we believe, is that mentioned in the Encyclopædia Britannica; on the authority of which we shall communicate it to our readers: "A small quantity of human feces, when placed into their hills, will not only destroy great numbers, but expel the rest from their habitations."
Antelope. See Deer.
Anthemis. See Chamomile.
Anthericum. See Spiderwort.
ANT-HILLS are so well known, that they require no additional description to that given under the article Ant.—They are very injurious to dry pastures, not only by wasting the extent of soil which they cover, but by impeding the scythe at the time of mowing, and yielding a poor food, pernicious to cattle. The manner of reducing them, simply consists in cutting them into four parts, from the top, and then digging deep enough to take out the core below, so that when the turf is replaced, it may be somewhat lower than the level of the rest of the land: thus the place will be more wet, and the ants prevented from returning to their former situation. The earth taken out should be scattered, or removed to a considerable distance, lest they might collect it, and soon form another hill. This useful kind of work ought to be performed in winter; for if, at that season, the places be left open, the frost and succeeding rains will destroy those ants which are in the lower part of their habitation. In Hertfordshire and Somersetshire, a particular kind of spade is used for this purpose; its blade is very sharp, and so formed, that the whole edge describes about three-fourths of a circle.
St. Anthony's Fire. See Erysipelas, or Rose.
