The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-07-18
Fighting Insects.

Bulletin No. o, of the Massachusetts
Experiment Station, gives the follow
ing as the best means Of destroying
the many insects that make havoc
among the crops Of the farm and gar
den.
Cabbage Flea. The first insect of
Importance that appears is the small
black flea or jumping beetle that at
tacks the cabbage, radish, turnip, etc.
busting with Paris green mixed with
100 times its weight of plaster has
proved an effctual remedy Apply
when the plants are wet and after
every rain.
The Cut Worm, of which there are
several species, including the army
worm, works only during the night,
and may be destroyed by the same
remedy as above. We advise trial
of pyrethrum powder mixed with FIVE
times its bulk of plaster as being more
safe, although we have no positive
proof that it will be effectual.
The Striped Squash Bug which has
been so abundant for the past two sea-
sons, is best kept in check by plaster
and Paris green. For the family gar
den the safest and most satisfactory
way is to make bottomless boxes, ~
inches square, and 6 or 8 inches deep,
and covered with mosquito netting ;
one of these placed over each hill until
the plants have become tough aud hard,
Is a sure protection
The Potato Beetle Paris green
extended with plaster, fiour, or water,
is the only cheap and easily applied
remedy known at present, but great
care must be exercised in its use, and es
pecially in the place where the package
is kept, that it may not get upon the
food of animals.
The Cabbage Worm, the larva of
the common white butterfly, may be
easily destroyed. Hand picking, if be-
gun before the first brood has passed
into the perfect state, is effectual Py-
rethrum powder mixed with five times
its bulk of plaster and busted into the
centre of the leaves with sulphur bel
lows is certain destruction to every one
of them. The application of insecti-
cides in liquids to the cabbage has not
been satisfactory on account of the
peculiar structure of the leaf surface
which allows the water to roll off in
drops and not adhere to any part of it.
Paris green is unsafe to use after the
leaves have become over four inches
in diameter ...a
The Currdnt Worm should be de-
stroyed, while small, with the dust of
hellebore or pvrethrum. The latter
being perfectly harmless is to be more
highly recommended.
Apple and Peach Borer.-For the
destruction of these two insects no sure
remedy has been found except the
knife. 1t is probable that covering the
trunk of the tree near the ground with
the ink or tar used to catch canker
worm moths, or wrapping around the
trunk bands of tarred paper, would as
sist in keeping them away. ~.
The Rose Bug has thus far been the
most difficult to overcome of the whole
tribe of injurious insects, and we can
recommend no remedy with a great
degree of confidence, but would advise
the trial of the fumes of gas tar held
under the vines short time every
evening while the grapes are forming.
1t is certainly offensive to them, and
if used carefully need not injure the
plant. 5.a a'1goI
Rose Sings are easily destroyed by
spraying with water and pyrethrnm a,
the rate of one tablespoonful of the
latter to pailful of the former.