The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-08-14
THE CABBAGE WORM.
Experiments With Different Remedies for
This Destructive Pest.

This Destructive Pest.
The last annual report of the Ohio
Agricultural Experiment Station con-
tains the following record of expert
ments with various proposed remedies
for this pest:
Experiments 1-5.-Dry bran, salt
(both coarse and fne), lime, sulphur
and white hellebore were thoroughly
applied at different times and under
various conditions. None of them
proved effective.
Experiment Cone pound of whale
oil soap boiled in one gallon of water
and diluted with three times its bulk of
water, was applied with spray pump.
Several applications were made. Many
of the worms were killed, but enough
remained to seriously injure the crop.
This remedy, although safe, can not be
recommended as specific. Preparing
the solution some time before using and
allowing it to become more or less
putrid increases its efficiency.
Experiment Z. - Ice water was
thoroughly tested. 1t was applied at
different times, but as rule did little
or no good. When applied during the
hottest portion of the day it dislodged
some of the worms that happened to
be on the outer leaves. but failed to
have any lasting effect upon those more
in the center of the plant. Worms
were seen to rapidly recover after being
completely immersed for several Sec
onds in ice water.
Experiment S.-One-half ounce of
pyrethrum to fifteen quarts of water,
applied with a spray pump, having a
cyclone nozzle, proved an almost per-
feet remedy. Only one application
was made. Although a few worms APP
peared subsequently, they were not in
sufficient number to do any special in
jury.
Experiment 10-Used in the form of
powder, with a small bellows. one
ounce of pyrethrum proved sufficient
for one hundred and fifty cabbages.
Twelve hours after the application was
made, a careful examination showed
that no live worms could be found.
No further application was found nee
essary.
Experiment 11.-One ounce of pyre-
thrum and one ounce of fine air-slacked
lime were thoroughly mixed. This
mixture was applied in the same man
ner and same quantity as noted in Ex-
pertinent 10. The results were equally
satisfactory and the application less ex-
pensive.
Experiment 12.-One ounce of py-
rethrum with four ounces of buck
wheat -four was found to be very eff
cient. The mixture was carefully
made and applied with the Woodason
bellows. The work was done very
rapidly, one man being able to thor
oughly sprinkle at the rate of three
acres of cabbages per day. This was
the most practical remedy tried, being
efTectual, cheap, easy of application
and harmless to the plant.
Experiment 13.-One part of Paris
green thoroughly mixed with twenty
parts of fine Stacked lime, was nearly
as effective as pyrethrum. This was
applied August IA, before the cabbages
had begun to form heads. Although
it proved effectual, the danger of using
Paris-green upon any food plant makes
it u remedy that can not be strongly
recommended. When used at ALL
great caution must be exercised.
Experiment 14.-Kerosene emulsions
of various strength were carefully
tested. The results were unsatisfacto-
ry. Equal parts of kerosene and water
kill the worms, but at the same time
nearly ruined the cabbages. Weaker
applications affected the worms for a
short time, according to the proportion
of kerosene used, but they usually re.
vived and continued their depredations
! Farm and &treside.