366 Missouri State Horticultural Society. 



hole, they were replanted without any attempt to cleanse the roots. 

 They regained their vigor, and are now healthy, while adjacent 

 vines have died. In another exjDeriment one pound of mercury 

 was applied to each vine, and all are growiug vigorously. The 

 lesson taught is, that while the metal destroys the insects, it does 

 not injure the vines. It is a well known fact that entomologists 

 and taxidermists, use mercurial mixtu.res to preserve their cabinets 

 from all insects and pests, and that they are entirely effectual. It 

 is at least worth trying, and if found effectual, it will enable us to 

 grow many of the finer varieties of grapes, that are now entirely 

 destroyed by that scourge of the vineyard. — Pacific Rural Press. 



EEMEDIES FOR VARIOUS INSECTS. 



Professor Riley, the United States entomologist, in a recent 

 paper gave the result of his experiments for the destruction of the 

 insects that stand in the way of successful fruit culture. He first 

 alluded to the codling moth. He believed that there was no question 

 that Paris green was not only a remedy, but that there was little 

 danger in using it. But he still is unable to overcome a disinclina- 

 tion to recommend it, especially since the late Dr. Hull maintained 

 that he had found slaked lime dusted on the trees to be equally as 

 effectual. Professor Riley positively affirmed that he knew that the 

 worms sometimes left one apple for another, a question that has 

 been occasionally discussed. Por plum curculio, he believed that 

 there was nothing superior to jarring. He j^laced no faith in the 

 repellent powers of strong smelling substances which are sometimes 

 recommended. He said if he were to enumerate the six most im- 

 portant substance? that could be used for destroying insects above 

 ground, he would mention tobacco, soap, hellebore, arsenic, pe- 

 troleum and pyrethrum. 



It has lately been learned, too, that the vapor of nicotine, that 

 is, tobacco vapor, is not only very effectual in destroying insects 

 wherever it can be confined, as in greenhouses, but that it is less 

 injurious to delicate plants than either the smoke or the liquid. 

 This fact? will explain the efficacy of tobacco stems strewn upon 

 the ground. As an instance of the good results attending the lat- 

 ter plan, he cited the interesting experience of William Saunders 

 in dealing with the grape-leaf hoppers. These, until two years 

 ago, baffled all his efforts ; they caused his grape leaves to turn yel- 

 low and fall prematurely m the grapery at Washington. But he 

 found that by strewing the ground under the vines with the tobacco 

 stems which were constantly being moistened by the syringing, the 



