The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-06-29

AT a recent meeting of the Massachusetts
Horticultural Society, Prof. G. II. Fernald,
PHI. D., of the State Agricultural College,
read a paper on ''Injurious Insects from
which tile following extracts are taken:
c%URcULIo AND SQUASH BUGs.
The plum curculio has long been a great
annoyance to fruit-growers. II all who
cultivate plums would persistently follow
up the old remedy of iarring the trees and
destroying the beetles which fall on the
white cloth underneath, this unanimity of
action would reduce their numbers and
damage TO a minimum; but where shiftless,
thriftless. worthless n~eighbors allow them
to multiply without hindrance, it is impos-
sible to suggest any efieetnal 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 con-
tinue to furnish an ample supply. Some
entomologists are very sanguine that Paris
green will destroy the ~curculio if sprayed
on the plum trees as soon as the petals fall.
It is reported that where alternate trees in
the same row or orchard have been sprayed,
those treated with Paris green were not at
tackled, while those not SO protected were
badly infested.
luC GoiithOH SiAdsb bu8 ubtS not tNu-
sumo the surface of the leaf, but ferces its
tubular mouth part through the epider-
mis-, and draws its food from the inside of
the leaf, and is not affected by poisons on
the surface. Pyrethrum has been foand ex-
c%ellent. 1t may be used as a powder, and
busted on by means of bellows, or in solu-
ton in water, which is most economical
and efficient. The bulk of the powder is
dissolved in water, to which it at once i'm
parts its insectide principle. No stirring
is necessary, but it should be applied in a
very fine spray; the finer the more econom-
ical 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.
LICE ROSE BUGs.
Pyrethrum is also an excellent insecti-
eide for the cabbage butterfly, all kinds
of plant-lice, flee-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
advantage of being harmless to man and
the domestic animals, and may be used
with impunity when Paris green or London
purple woHld require great caution Half
an ounce stirred III two gallons of water
was sufficiently strong to kill any ordinary
naked caterpillar when showered on il, but
was not strong enough to kill the most
hardy of such as are protected by a dense
hairy covering.
The rose-beetle is 4 common pest and
feeds on so many different plants as to
make it much more troublesome than il it
confined its attacks to Que plant alone. II
they infest a plant ON which it is safe to
use Paris green, this will be 4 most effect
ual remedy; elsewhere pyrethrum may be
used.
To destroy eurrant-worBls and slugs on
rose bushes and pear trees, and in fact the
Larvae of any saw-ilies, dissolve an ounce
of powdered hellebore in a little warm
water, and spray on the bushes. Paris
green could be used in spray on ornamen-
tai and shade-trees for any saw-tiy larvae
which might injure them.
EMUIsIoNs.
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 sou is preferable. MIX
these in q pail or tub by continually pump
ing with a force pump through the spray
nozzle back into the pail. In a short time
the liquids unite and form a creamy emnl-
SiOD, anu Hudliy Il WiHS anu SiSeChius
butter. When this mixture is required for
use, take a sufficient quantity, thin it by
adding some water: and when it is thor
oughly mixed add as much water as is
necessary to dilute it 10 the required
amount. For plant lice, a pint of the but
ter to a gallon,and a half of water is a fair
proportion. 1t should be applied with a
force pump and spray nozzle.
An emulsion NAV be made with soap in
stead of milk by dissolving four pounds of
common bar soap in one gallon Of hot
water, adding a gallon of kerosene gradu-
ally while still boiling, and churning it
with the force pump as before. \ gela-
tinous compound is formed, which is very
stable and will keep a long time If protect
ed from the air. 1t can then be reduced
by mixing with water, in any proportion,
but great care must be used in making the
emulsion to obtain a complete union, other
wise the oil will ininre the foliage Of the
plants.
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