The Cabbage Root Maggot. 559 



plants for the destruction of the maggot, but all to no effect. ' ' This year Mr. 

 Washburn has reported fairlj' good success from its use in Oregon. The evi- 

 dence is not sufficient to recommend it as a destructive agent against the 



root maggots. 



Kerosene. 



In 1887, Mr. Goff used this substance on the maggots at work on cabbages. 

 It proved fatal to both the plants and the insects. 



Paraffin Oil. 

 This substance was mixed with water and used by some of Miss Ormerod's 

 correspondents in England in i88[. It had but little, if any, e.Tect on the 



maggots. 



Soap Combinations. 



Soap Suds. — In 1875, ^ correspondent to the "Country Gentleman" 

 claimed to have killed the maggots by applying % pint of a solution of i 

 part soap to 12 parts of water ; three applications were made during the 

 season. In 18S1, a correspondent reported to Miss Ormerod that drenching 

 his cauliflower plants with strong soap suds had no effect on the ravages of 

 the maggots. Prof Cook, in 1887, also applied strong soap suds faithfully, 

 3 times per week on radishes and cabbages, with no apparent effect on the 

 maggots. 



Whale Oil Soap. — Prof. Cook also used this in his experiment in T887, 

 without success. 



IV/iale Oil Soap and Sulphur. — This was recommended by Prof. Cook in 

 1883, but no one seemed to have tested it. It would doubtless be ineffective. 



Soap Stids and Gas Water. — This was recommended by Mr. Major in 1829 

 in his "Treatise on Insects," but it was to be used to make the plants offen- 

 sive to the Turnip Gall Weevil and not forthe Cabbage Root Maggot, on 

 which it would doubtless have but little effect. 



Boiling Water. 



As Dr. Walsh states (Prac. Ent., i, 20), this method seems to have been 

 first used by a Dr. Drew fwho published it in the "New York Tribune" sev- 

 eral years previous to 1865) on the Onion Maggot. In 1870, Dr. Riley 

 recommended it for the radish maggot. In 1874, Prof. Cook says : "I have 

 tried this with some, though not satisfactory success. " Mr. Garfield reported 

 in 1877 that he "poured boiling water upon the roots, and when the maggots 

 were not too deep in the ground this was effective, but on the whole was not 

 considered a successful remedy. " Doubtless very hot water would kill the 

 maggots could they be hit by it ; but the soil would soon reduce the tempera- 

 ture of the water below the killing point, so its use would not be practicable. 



Saltpetre (Nitrate of Potash). 



In 1885, Dr. Lintner suggested that this substance be tested on the root 



maggots. Two years later, at Dr. Lintner's request, Mr. Goff thoroughly 



tested it. His experiment is so conclusive that we quote it in full : "On the 



first indication that the cabbage plants were infested, which was on May 31 



