WESTERN NEW YORK HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 71 



pear, and other trees to this insect, which sucks the juice from the peduncle 

 or stem of the blossom. The scabby and irregular fruit, when grown, he also 

 says, is caused by the insect puncturing the growing fruit. The various acari 

 also do much damage to raspberries and blackberries by sucking the sap from 

 the leaves while in growth, thus depleting the plant of its vitality, and much 

 of the damage attributed to winter-killing is due to this minute insect." 



May we not hope that the above remedies will be vigorously applied ? The 

 Colorado potato beetle is now a subject of great anxiety in our State. Next in 

 importance to wheat the potato demands onr best endeavors for its protection 

 and preservation. So great has been the destruction of this household neces- 

 sity at the West by grasshoppers and drought that it is at present in many 

 sections the dearest article of food in the market. It has been a very profit- 

 able crop in this vicinity, and we cannot urge too strongly that growers here 

 should make a concerted and determined effort for the destruction of its re- 

 lentless enemy. 



We need scarcely inform any grower that the potato bug may be rendered 

 harmless by dusting the vines with Paris green mixed with fifteen times its 

 bulk of flour, ashes, or plaster. Repeated applications of this is perfectly 

 effectual. It is probable that its stay with us will be short, as this and several 

 other insect pests have a more congenial climate at the West, where they 

 originated, than here. From careful inquiry we learn that they have put in 

 appearance this year in every part of our State, doing some, but not serious, 

 damage; and those who kill the bugs will profit by the indifference and neglect 

 of those who do not. 



Paris green may perhaps be used so freely as to poison the land, but the 

 amount required for the destruction of the insect will do no damage what- 

 ever. The beetle does not eat the vine, but when the little yellow eggs on the 

 lower side of the leaves hatch, the slug, or larva, commences the work of de- 

 struction ; then you must apply the remedy without delay. The Paris green 

 may be dusted on early in the morning by a large pepper box attached to a 

 handle two feet long, care being taken to keep to the windward, as it is a con- 

 centrated poison. 



Perhai)s a better way is to dilute a tablespoonful of the green in a pailful 

 of water, stir it well, and sprinkle the vines carefully with it, using a water- 

 pot with fine holes, so constructed as to concentrate the liquid more than is 

 usual. 



We have two or three crops of worms in a season, and we earnestly recom- 

 mend picking the first ones off, as perhaps that might save the necessity of 

 future applications ; but if this is not done, it may be necessary to dust and 

 sprinkle three or four times. 



Your entomological committee, Mr. President, feel that they have very 

 grave responsibilities. A great many women need aid and comfort in their 

 domestic difficulties. We hate to mix ourselves up with private affairs, but we 

 can't help it. Husbands expect and require good dinners from poor materi- 

 als. They are absurder and meaner than the old Egyptians who wanted 

 " brick without straw." A good kitchen garden is one of the i^ossihilities of 

 rural life. In its best state it is a perfect fountain of good things, but every 

 tin peddler knows that our country gardens are a fizzle and a fraud on the 

 women who coax them into a feeble existence, when they are allowed to " go 

 to the bugs ! " 



Currant sprouts cost nothing, but being persistoit growers, we had them 



