The Cabbage Root Maggot. 561 



substance as follows: "An ounce of it was dissolved in a gallon of water 

 at a temperature of about 100° F., and when cold, 2 teaspoonfuls of the solu- 

 tion were poured about the stem of each plant. The first application was 

 made May 5, which was before the plants had manifested any injury from the 

 maggot. At this strength, the plants appeared to suffer somewhat, hence 

 trie latter applications, made May 21, and June 5, were reduced to }( of an 

 ounce to the gallon, and about a gill of the liquid was poured about each 

 plant. On June 6 examination showed that the plants were suffering from 

 many live maggots, and there were no indications that the treatment had 

 caused any diminution in the number " The substance has decided fungici- 

 dal properties, but the evidence thus far will not warrant its use by gardeners 

 in fighting the root maggots. 



Tansy, or Burdock Decoction. 

 Several years agi acontributor to the " New England Homestead " stated 

 that the following decoction was a "dead shot for the maggot:" "Take 

 green burdock leaves and stalks, run them through a hay-cutter, put them in 

 a kettle or tub, and mash them with an old ax or mall, adding water and 

 pounding them to a pulp. Let -it stand over night. Have the decoction 

 strong, and when you see the first signs of the maggot, use it. Apply it 

 with a sprinkler by pouring it along the rows I seldom have to apply it the 

 second time." Dr. lyintner adds that " a strong decoction of tans3', where it 

 is abundant, would probably be about as serviceable as the burdock. " These 

 recommendations seem to have received no further notice. We doubt if they 

 can be depended on to destroy the maggots, but they should at least receive 

 a thorough trial. 



Mercury and Pulverized Earth. 



The combination had been recommended in California for the Grape Phyl- 

 loxera ; and so Mr. GofF, in 1885, put a little of the mixture about cabbage 

 plants infested with maggots. It " seeined to have a beneficial influence, 

 but was not an entire success." Some dead maggots were found, but there 

 were others alive, in immediate contact with the mixture. 



McDougall's Sheep Dip. 

 In 1888, Mr. Goff diluted this substance with 5 parts of water and tested 

 it on cabbage to kill the maggots. The insects were not injured but the 

 plants were ki led. 



Zoektin Poison. 



Mr. Goff tested this in 1888, using i oz. to 5 gals, of water. It proved 

 fatal to both the cabbage plants and the insects. 



Naphthaline. 

 In 1890, Prof. J. B. Smith reported an experiment by one of his corres- 

 pondents with this substance. In its crude form it injured the plants severe- 

 ly, even more than did the purified form. It killed the maggots. Prehaps 

 the substance will prove of value if applied in the soil with the McGowen 

 Injector. 



