THE EXPERIMENT STATION. 147 



be entirely covered with the ashes. This not infrequently injured or 

 appeared to injure the plants. Thus, while ashes will repel these flea 

 beetles, they are not a desirable remedy. The other specific in this case 

 was a strong tobacco decoction. I used tobacco dust, which I got very 

 cheaply at a large tobacco factory in Detroit. I would take two large hand- 

 fuls of this dust, pour boiling water on it, then use the water or decoction 

 to sprinkle the affected plants. I used about one pound to two gallons of 

 water. This was used on several plants for both the cucumber and striped 

 beetles, and seemed in every case to bring immediate relief. While this 

 seemed either to kill or drive off these beetles, it in no wise injured the 

 plants. We shall try this again very thoroughly another year ; but we feel 

 already warranted in recommending it to any who have occasion to fight 

 these very destructive little hopping beetles. It seems to be just what is 

 wanted. If as effective to rid the grape-vines of the grape flea beetle in the 

 «arly spring, it might be substituted for the London purple in that warfare. 



INSECTS AND POTATO SCAB. 



I planted potatoes in a field where very scabby potatoes were raised last 

 year, and also some in boxes in the laboratory, in earth in which there was 

 no insects. Those in the field were examined often. It was very rare that 

 any insects were found near the potatoes, and never was there found a single 

 myriapod. The scab began to appear while the potatoes were yet very small. 

 This is but a repetition of similar experiments tried in previous years. I 

 much doubt if insects have anything to do with scab on potatoes. I am very 

 positive that the millipeds, or thousand legged worms, so-called, do not 

 cause the scab on our Michigan potatoes. I expected to get positive results 

 in the potatoes planted in boxes and kept in the laboratory. In these boxes 

 there were no insects, and if we had succeeded in growing scabby potatoes 

 we should have known that scab was independent of the work of insects. 

 Unfortunately, however, while we had a very fine growth of vines, we raised 

 no potatoes. Thus this effort was wholly fruitless. We shall repeat this 

 trial another year, in hopes of better success. 



INSECTS OF THE YEAR. 



This has been quite a remarkable year for insects. Early in the season 

 there was a general invasion of the corn fields of the State by the cut-worms. 

 The season was very late at best. Much corn was not planted till in June, 

 and even then it made a very slow growth. Following this was the attack by 

 the cut-worms. Thus in many parts of the State the corn was largely a 

 failure. The only remedy that is practical in defending against this pest is 

 that of baiting by bunches of poisoned herbage. I have tried this only on a 

 small scale, but have been so successful that I feel free to recommend the 

 method to others. The best method to pursue is as follows : While the 

 grass or clover is still standing in some meadow, spray it thoroughly with 

 London purple ; then carefully cut with a scythe, and draw it to the infested 

 field and pitch small forkfuls among the corn plants, so that they may be 

 quite close together, at least not farther separated than one or two rods. 

 Some bind the herbage in small bundles, that it may remain fresh longer. 

 The objection to this remedy is the expense, and the binding into bundles 



