St. Landry democrat., 1888-06-09
INJURIOUS INSECTS.
How to Destroy CurcuIio and Squash Bugs
and Cabbage Butterflies.

c. H. Fernald. Pa. D., of the Stat
Agricultural Society, read a paper Oh
luxurious Insects,' from which thu
following extracts are taken:
The plum curculio has long been ,
great annoyance to fruit growers. I
all who cultivate plums would per
sistently follow up the old remedy o
Earring the trees and destroying the
beetles which fail on the white clotl
underneath. this unanimity of actor
would reduce their numbers and dam
age to q minimizing; but where shift
less, thriftless. worthless neighbors
allow them to multiply without hin
drance, it is impossible to suggest any
effectual remedy. Undoubtedly ii
will be of great advantage to allow
chickens to run under the trees, for
they will destroy many of those that
fall; but your negligent neighbors
will continue to furnish an ample sup
ply. Some entomologists are very
sanguine that Paris green will destroy
the curculio. if sprayed on the plum
trees as soon as the petals fall. 1t is
reported that where alternate trees
in the same row or orchard have been
sprayed, those treated with Paris
green were not attacked, while those
not so protected were badly infected.
The common squash bug does not
consume the surface of the leaf but
forces its tubular parts through the
epidermis, and draws it's food from the
inside of the leaf, and is not affected
by poisons on the surface. Pyrethum
has been found excellent 1t may be
used asa powder, and busted on by
means of bellows, or in solution in
water which is most economical and
efficient. The bulk of the powder is
diss olved in the water, to which it at
once imparts its insecticide principle.
No stirring is necessary. but it should
be applied in very fine spray; the
finer the more economical is its use,
and the greater the chances of its
reaching all the insects. 1t must be
used when first mixed. for if allowed
to stand it gradually loses its power.
Pyrethrum is also an excellent in
secticide for the cabbage butterfly, all
kinds of plant lice. flea beetles thrips
on rose bushes and grape-vines, and
many other insects, but it is liable to
be adulterated, and one should be
very careful to purchase only that
which is pure. 1t has the great adj
vantage of being harmless to man and
the domestic animals. and may be
used with impunity when Paris green
OF London purple would require great
caution. Half an ounce stirred in two
gallons of water was sufficiently strong
to kill any ordinary naked caterpillar
when showered on it, but was not |
strong enough to kill the most hardy
Of such as are protected by dense
hairy covering.
The rose beetle is a common pest. |
and feels on so many different plants
rs to make it much more troublesome
than if it confined its attacks to one
plant alone. If they infest plant on
which it is safe to use Paris green, this
will be a most efectual remedy; else
where pyrethrum may be used
10 destroy currant worms and slugs
On rose bushes and pear trees. and in
act the larvae of any saw flies. dis
olv, an ounce of powdered hellibore
n little warm water and then dilute
t with two gallons Of water and spray
IN the bushes. Paris green could be
lsed in spray on ornamental and
hade trees for any saw-fy larym
which might injure them.
Another very valuable insecticide is
he Kerosene oil emulsion, made of
wo parts of kerosene and one part of
milk. either sweet or sour, but sour is
preferable Mix these in pail or
rb By continually pumping with a
orcc pump through the spray nozzle
'aek i 10 the phi. In short time
he liquid; unite and form creamy
mulsion. and finally a white and
listening butter. When this mixture
required for use, take suffi cient
uantity, thin it by adding some wa
er, and when it is thoroughly mixed
id as much water as is necessary to
lutte it to the required amount. For
liant lice, pint of the butter to
allon and a half of water is a fair
roportion. Itshould be applied with
force pump and spray nozzle.
An emulsion may be made with soap
instead of milk by dissolving four
ounds Of common bar soap in one
allon of hot water, adding a gallon
kerosene gradually while still boil
lg, and churning it with the force
Jump as before. A gelatinous COM
ound is formed, which is very stable
nd will keep long time if protect
'om the air. 1t can be reduced by
liking with water. in any proportion.
ut great care must be used in making
1e emulsion to obtain complete
MON. otherwise the oil will injure the
'ilage of the plants.
A spirit marriage which had