South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1877-12-14
Letter from Washington.
WAsnINeroN. u. c.. Dec. IL

Z. L.
Mr.. HARPER The annual report of
the Commissioner of Agriculture, Just
issued and ready for distribution, COM
tains many things Of interest to the gen.
eral reader. The volume is unusually
compact and well arranged, and there
arc several new subjects treated. In
looking through the book notice an ar
ticle concerning "A Successful Insect
Destroyer" accompanied with adrawing
or cut Of the invention. 1t is new
thing, patented during the year, and
promises 10 be great benefit to the
farming and fruit growing community.
J he annual destruction OF crops OF fruit,
cotton, corn, tobacco and vegetables BY
the curculio, cotton ball, army, cat and
tobacco worm, amounts TO millions of
dollars, OF all the numerous remedies
tried none nave so far proved success.
full. The Little Turk" as the curculio
IS called, has almost driven plum culture
from the country, while the ravages Of
the other species named are immense.
The worms are all Matched from eggs
laid by miller and beetle insects that
fly at night, and are easily caught by
properly arranged light. 1t is estimated
that these insects deposit from 10000
10 100000 eggs each, &C ording to the
species, in the seventeen days Of their
average life. If. therefore, the insects
can be destroyed before appearing i'm
the worm stage of existence, this will
prove the most successful point OF at
tack. Tie device referred to by the
Commissioner was patented by y firm i'm
Russellvlle, Arkansas Patton & Duke.
| beiieye-and consists of peculiarly
constructed lamp which is TO be lighted
and set on pan filed with water, the
bottom Of which receives o stick or 9th.
er support. so as to raise the light to the
desired height for tue crop or tree to be
protected. Everybody knows the Prone
ness of insects TO Ego for" light 1t
is one Of the curious facts connected
with insect life that their eggs are al.
ways deposited at night. The miller
species never fly by day. On warm
dark night, when there is no rain or
wind, they are. in season, almost NAN
herless and can readily be DESTROYED by
this device. The Commissioner says
The moths being attracted by the light,
dart against H. and fall into the pan. and
are destroyed before deppsiting their
eggs upon tho tender leaves Of the grow.
ing plants" The pstentees, I learn, on
inquiry, have just started a factory at
Russcllyille and are manufacturing the
lamps, in great quantities, and selling
rights OF territory.
There arc continual rumors Of peace
negotiations between MIR. HAYES and
Senator Conkling, but so far nothing has
been developed that shows either of
them willing 10 compromise. On the
contrary. the indications are that hos
tilities will become more active.
The bill giving sum OF money 70 sur.
vivors Of the Huron disaster and year.
pay To the heirs Of those lost. has passed
both Houses. and will at once DO APPROX.
cd 10y MIR. Hayes. The only precedent
is in the case Of the Oneida, lost some
ten years ago. There has been no OPP
position i'm either House. Already n
proposition is on foot to erect at An.
napolis by private subscription. q mon.
ument IN coJaNemorstion Of the lost
The investigation into the causes OF tho
disaster is still in progress at the Navy
Department. and all testimony so far
elected goes To confirm the now very
general opinion thai the responsibility
Of the loss and the sacrifice Of over a
hundred lives, must rest upon the officer
or officers charged with navigating her
away from n stretch Of coast perilously
beset with bars, shoals. splits. currents,
countsr.eurrents and miles upon miles
Of breakers, dangerous even in the mild
weather OF mid summer. But they shar.