I. AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMY. 381 



of slaked lime, and to strew the powder thus obtained upon 

 the soil wherever required. 



RAVAGES OF PHYLLOXERA. 



Among the various methods employed most successfully 

 in France to prevent the ravages of the phylloxera, is the 

 application of the sulpho-carbonates as originally suggested 

 by M. Dumas. The sulpho-carbonate of potash has been ex- 

 perimented with most generally, and it is maintained that in 

 addition to the destruction of the pest, it serves as a valu- 

 able manure to the plants, greatly increasing their vigor. 

 More recently sulpho-carbonates of sodium and of barium 

 have been tested, the former proving to be in every respect 

 equal in efficacy to the potassium salt. In some respects it 

 was found that the salt of barium was even better than the 

 other, as it is quite reasonable in price, and as a mineral ma- 

 nure its action is much slower and more permanent than that 

 of the other. 6 B, July 17, 1876, 213. 



LATEST CONCLUSIONS RESPECTING PHYLLOXERA. 



The most recent conclusions by Dumas in regard to the 

 subject of the phylloxera, or grape-vine louse, and its reme- 

 dies, are as follows: First, sulpho-carbonate of potassium is 

 a rapid insecticide, the only one which surely destroys the 

 insect at the roots, and also supplies to the vine a strong re- 

 constituent element ; second, sulpho-carbonate of sodium 

 offers the ^ame advantages, used only as insecticide ; third, 

 sulpho-carbonate of barium, being anhydrous and little solu- 

 ble, is recommended for its resistance to the action of oxygen 

 and of carbolic acid, so that it is a poison less prompt, but 

 more durable in effect; with regard to the winter eggs, fourth, 

 the heavy oil of gas-tar, and especially the oil called cmthra- 

 cene, seems to be best for washing the stocks and destroying 

 the eggs ; fifth, the treatment with tar for the stocks and sul- 

 pho-carbonates for the roots should be effected especially in 

 February and March. 18 A^ March 10, 1876, 658. 



CARTRIDGES FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF FIELD MICE BY FUMI- 

 GATION. 



According to Dr. Nessler, the cartridges recommended for 

 destroying field mice by fumigation may be prepared by 



