OR COCCUS, OF THE COFFEE-PLANT. 7 
At Pen-y-lan, powdered lime thrown over the trees, rich manuring 
with horse-dung and rotten coffee-pulp, application of urine, and 
tobacco fumigation, were tried without effect. 
At Weraloo-gastane, Mr. Anstruther believes that he is checking the 
mischief on his estate, by sprinkling the trees with a mixture of 
equal parts of finely-pounded saltpetre and quicklime. Some trees 
which had been thus treated were pointed out to me; but as I had - 
not seen them before the use of the remedy, it was impossible to 
form an opinion regarding its efficacy, especially as on examination 
abundance of the live Scale was still visible. Since my return to 
Peradenia, Mr. Anstruther has addressed the following letter to me 
on the subject :— 2 
Ambegamoa, 23rd June, 1848. 
My dear Sir,—It occurs to me that perhaps I did not explain to 
you sufficiently how saltpetre can be most effectually used in destroying 
the Coffee bug. It should be pounded as fine as possible, and dusted 
over the branches affected, while the leaves are wet: it then adheres, 
and almost immediately melts. I have witnessed many instances of 
its success since I had the pleasure of seeing you. My superin- 
tendents have tried other modes of application, and, they think, with 
good effect,—such as applying it to the roots simply, or mixed with 
manure. Yours, very truly, 
P. ANSTRUTHER. - 
With regard to this remedy, I must, however, state, that on 
my return to Peradenia, about ten days ago, I selected two trees, 
growing in a small patch of infested Mocha Coffee, for the purpose 
of testing its effects. One of them was treated according to Mr. — — 
Anstruther’s plan, the other carefully brushed over with a solution ; 
of saltpetre in water, of the strength of about an ounce to the pint. — 
These trees have been daily watched, and in ten days they are neither > 
better nor worse than those by which they are surrounded. 
Powdering the trees over with sulphur and wood-ashes has Jo 
been recommended, but I have not found it efficacious. i 
At Puselava the Messrs. Worms ascertained that the application — 
of cocoa-nut oil had the effect of exterminating the Coccus; but, as - 
it destroyed the trees also, it was abandoned. It is well known that all 
oily substances applied to insects kill them by preventing respira- 
tion; and, in the same manner, if applied to trees, especially to the 
