159 



The Chemist submitted letters and figures re cost of Cassava growing 

 and this was directed to be sent to Mr. Calder and Mr. Shore for the 

 addition of their ideas and to be brought before the Board at next 

 Meeting. 



The meeting adjourned until Tuesday, 14th June, at 11.15 a.m. 



THE METHOD OF APPLYING PARIS GREEN. 



The following is a letter from Mr. Wm. B. Seabrook, who was in 

 Jamaica a short time ago, giving advice about working Cotton Gins. 



He stated when be was here, that cotton planters in the Sea Islands 

 bad given up mixing Paris Green with lime, and be promised to send 

 a sample of the material used for bags to put the Paris Green in. This 

 material is known in Kingston as American Grey Sheeting. The bag 

 is 10 inches long and 8 inches broad. 



Paris Green is an arsenical poison, and tberefore great care should be 

 taken in its use. It is of value for killing insects, such as cater- 

 pillars, which feed on the leaves of plants, and it may be applied to lilies, 

 and otber ornamental plants subject to caterpillar attacks. 



Mr. Wm. B Seabrook to Director of Public Gardens and Plantations, 



Jamaica. 



Witb reference to the appliance for poisoning caterpillars witb Paris 

 Green. I thougbt it altogetber best to make one of the bags wbich are 

 used by the planters bere for handling and applying the poison. You 

 can not only judge of the material, but see the size, shape, and every- 

 tbing about it.* A light staff is provided, like a broom hancUe, and 5 

 or 6 feet long. One side of the mouth of tbe bag is tacked to one end 

 of the staff. The poison is put in the bag and the staff twisted over a 

 little to close the mouth of the bag. The quantity put in is immaterial, 

 since you don't put too much— I suppose about ^ or \ full, to start witb. 

 A little practice will enable the operator to learn all the details. The 

 pure unadulterated poison is used — just as it is furnished by tbe mer- 

 chant. The most thorough poisoning is done by having the operator 

 hold the bag near the centre of the plants, with the wind blowing the 

 poison among the leaves and branches. A sharp rap with a small stick 

 on the staff is enough to liberate a sufficient quantity of the poison at a 

 time. It is not discernible on the plants after it is applied, but an in- 

 spection of the poisoned spots a day or two afterwards will reveal the 

 utter destruction of the Avorms. Another advantage claimed is that 

 the cotton plant sustains no damage at all when the poison is applied in 

 this way : whereas a too heavy application of the poison will involve 

 plant and worm in one common ruin. Now, there is another point on 

 which succes.s in the application of the poison hinges— it is to apply it 

 at the right time -just when the little worms, about half an inch long, 

 commence their work. The delay of a d ly or two may mean either 

 heavy damage or the destruction of the crop. When the worms are 

 allowed to eat and grow, heavier applications have to be made, as they 

 are not as easily destroyed as when small. In that case the planter 

 Buffers double — 1st from damage done by the worm, and 2nd the un- 

 avoidable damage done by heavy applications of poison. 



* The bag is oa view at the Office of the Agricultural Society. 



