Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1888-07-28
INJURIOUS INSECTS.
How to Destroy CurCuliO and Squash Bugs
and Cabbage Butterflies.

@AV A0Ooho lne6IlnS VI lHo MdSSd-
chusetts Horticultural Society. Prof.
c. IL Fernald, PHI. D., of the State
Agricultural Society, read q paper on
Injurious Insects" from which the
following extracts are taken:
The plum curculio has long been
great annoyance to fruit growers. II
all who cultivate plums would per-
sistently follow up the old remedy Of
jarring the trees and destroying the
beetles which fall on the white cloth
underneath, this unanimity of action
would reduce their numbers and dam.
age to minimum; but where shift
less, thriftless, worthless neighbors
allow them to multiply without him
drance. it is impossible to suggest any
effectual remedy. Undoubtedly it
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, il sprayed on the plum
trees as soon as the petals fall. 1t is
reported that where alternate trees
i'll 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 its 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 as a 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
dissolved in the water, to which it at
once imparts its insecticide principle.
No stirring is necessary, but it should
be applied in a 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
secticde 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 10 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 IMMUNITY when Paris green
or London purple would require great
caution. Half an ounce stirred in two
gallons of water was suffi ciently strong
to kill any ordinary naked caterpillar
when showered on it, but was not
strong enough to kill the most hardy
of such rs are projected by dense
hairy covering
The rose beetle is q common pest
and feels on so many different plants
rs to make it much more ublesomc
:han if it confined its attacks to one
plant alone. If they nfest plant on
which it is safe to use Paris green, this
will be most effectual remedy; else
where pyrethrum may be used.
To destroy currant worms and slugs
on rose bushes and pear trees, and in
fact the larvae of any saw flies. dis
solve an ounce of powdered hellibore
in little warm water and then dilute
it with two gallons of water and spray
on the bushes Paris green could be
used in spray on ornamental and
shade trees for any saw-fy larv@
which might injure them.
Another very valuable insecticide IS
the kerosene oil emulsion, made of
two parts of kerosene and one part Of
milk, either sweet or sour, but sour is
preferable. Mix these in q pail or
tub by continually pumping with a
force pump through the spray nozzle
back into the pail. In short time
the liquids unite and form a creamy
emulsion, and finally a white and
glistening butter When this mixture
is required for use, take q sufficient
quantity, thin it by adding some wa
ter, and when it is thoroughly mixed
add as much water as is necessary to
dilute it to the required amount. For
plant lice, pint of the butter to a
gallon and a half of water is fair
proportion. 1t should be applied with
force pump and spray nozzle.
An emulsion may be made with soap
instead of milk by dissolving four
pounds of common bar soap in one
gallon of hot water, adding gallon
of kerosene gradually while still boil.
ing. and churning it with the force
pump as before A gelatinous COM
pound is formed, which is very stable
and will keep long time if protected
from the air. 1t can be reduced by
mixing with water, in any proportion,
but great care must be used in making
the emulsion to obtain complete
union, otherwise the oil will injure the
foliage of the plants.