Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-09-10
THE COTTON wORa IS THERE A
RRMEDYi

THE COTTON wORa IS THERE A
RRMEDYi
The sudden appearance Of the cotton
worm in the Memphis and adjacent dis
triets has created some apprehension,
though as yet no serious damage has
been done to the growing crop. The
fact that the army worm. as it is com
monty called, has appeared more and
more frequently Of late years has led 10
much scientific speculation aud expert
ment ia the hopes Of discovering a rem.
edy for an evil which, it is estimated,
costs the South some seasons not less
thai SIS, 600, OoO. A few years ago au
experiment was made with Paris green,
a deadly poison, and with such entire
success that the department Of agricul-
ture caused it to be thoroughly tested.
Packages were sent out and correspond
enee solicited from planters in all
parts of the South. Four ifths of the
replies received were unanimous in lis
favor and from them the department dc
duced the following conclusion, which
we quote from the official report Tor 1873:
The use Of Paris green, when pure and
unadulterated, mixed with -four 10 the
proportion of one part of Paris green to
two or three parts of -four, is OF utility
and in many cases mas saved the crops;
that in many instances where the Paris
green has failed it has been attributed
to improper use or using a spurious artl.
Gle. Paris green or arsenic, also used
with water and sprinkled over the plant:,
has been used with good effect, but to be
of any avail the water must be we'll
mixed up and stirred at the time Of using
it, as the Paris green or ersenic is only
partially soluble in water and requires
10 be thoroughly disseminated through.
out the water, to be deposited as a slight
coating of poisonous powder on the
leaves, to be Of any avail
When Paris green o. arsenical com.
pounds are used great care must be
taken motto make the mixture too strong,
or they will Kill OF iDjure the leaves and
plants. When used asa powder busted
over the plants, the plants must be wet
in order to make the powder adhere to
the leaves. Rains sill wash the mixture
away from the leaves, and it will have to
be renewed after heavy showers. Some
glutinous or sticky substance may be
used with the Paris green and -four in
order TO cause it to adhere to the leaves,
but it is not necessary. Sour or spoiled
-four will answer as well as the best;
plaster, ashes and even dust have, 10
some csses, been substituted for the -four,
but has not answered the purpose as we'll
as Hour. Applying the Paris green on
the fret appearance Of the caterpillsrs
is recommended, and as soon as possible
after the second crop Of worms appear
IN the plants also. No notice has been
taken of patent iusectdestroyers, as the
patentees claim q private and exclusive
right to use them. 0nly a few cases Of
injury to man or beast have been OR
served, and even some of those cases ere
not well %substentisted by proof. 1t, how
ever, would be we'll TO caution persons
using this poison to be on the windward
side when busting or showering it on the
plants, and not TO let stock in to feed
upon the foliage. The prejudice of the
freedmen against using Paris green il
now partially removed. The application
OF PARIS green not strong enough to IN.
Jure the cotton will kill the beggar slice
weed in the VOWS.
This being the only remedy that ha:
succeeded it is worth further trial where
the worms appear. The article should
be bought only from reliable dealers, and
should be handled with great care owing
TO its poisonous qualities. Reliable man
ufaeturers furnish full directions ror
nsing, and but few accidents to man o,
beast have ever occurred. The planter,
in Louisiana and Texas report the an
pearanee Of the cotton worm in destrue
tive numbers, aud the merchants Of Ne,
orleans are constantly receiving order
for Paris green. 10 many cases il !
doubtless too late, as the worm is YER
Destructive and sometimes marches owe
whole fields in y single night. We hop
that the planters in this region may hay
comparative immunity, but IL may b
we'll for them TO be prepared in time ia
this great enemy Of prosperity.