6 



to devour the leaves of the pines, damaging them in some instances very much. From 

 the facts enumerated it is evident that we are suffering serious loss in all our lumber- 

 ing districts from the silent workings of these insidious foes, and since in some measure 

 to be fore-warned is to be fore-armed, I desire to call the special attention of those im- 

 mediately concerned in the prosperity, present and future, of the lumbering interests of 

 our country, to this important subject. Unfortunately it does not as yet seem to be 

 within the power of man to do much directly towards restricting the operations of these 

 enemies to our forests ; yet this should not deter us from studying their habits and his- 

 tory, since an intimate acquaintance with these may result much more to our advantage 

 than we now anticipate. A few trees, such as a belt, or a group planted for shelter or 

 ornament, may be protected from the leaf and twig destroyers by syringing with a mix- 

 ture of Paris Green and water in the proportion of a teaspoonful to a pail of water, and 

 the bark lice may be killed by the use of alkaline washes applied with a brush or broom, 

 and a timely application of the same will prevent the operations of the borers ; but it is 

 scarcely possible that such remedies can ever be applied over extended areas of forest. 

 It is, however, gratifying to know that in addition to the numbers devoured by our in- 

 sectivorous birds, almost every injurious species is in turn attacked to a greater or 

 less extent by insect parasites of the most active habits, who seek out and destroy these 

 pests with ceaseless diligence ; were it not for these friendly insects the destructive spe- 

 cies would be far more numerous individually than they now are. 



The question as to how best to check the increase of destructive insects is of the 

 greatest practical importance, and probably no insecticide has of late played so import- 

 ant a part in this connection as Paris Green, which is a compound of arsenic and cop- 

 per, comparatively insoluble and a substance which seems admirably qualified for the 

 destruction of insect life. Besides its special use as a potato-beetle killer, it can be suc- 

 cessfully used to destroy any and every insect which eats the leaves of plants, shrubs or 

 trees. So poisonous an agent should be handled with caution if accidents are to be pre- 

 vented, and it is a matter of great regret that in consequence of carelessness in its use 

 the lives of many valuable animals have been sacrificed, and occasionally even human 

 lives have been imperilled or lost. From the ease with which it can be procured it has 

 also been resorted to in several instances by those determined on suicide. These unfortu- 

 nate occurrences are greatly to be deplored, and every possible precaution should be taken 

 to avoid accidents. It is quite a common occurrence for painters, hardware dealers and 

 general merchants to sell Paris Green and to send it out without label of any sort, and 

 sometimes the parcel is very insecurely put up and packed with groceries and 

 other articles for home use in the most indifferent manner. Such recklessness should 

 not be permitted and no one should be allowed to sell any substance so dangerous un- 

 less it is properly labelled with the name of the article and the word " Poison" promi- 

 nently attached ; with such precautions generally adopted many accidents which now 

 occur would be prevented. It has been urged by some that so many evils have attended 

 the use of Paris Green that it does more harm than good, and that its use should be 

 discontinued ; but in this I am not prepared to concur, as I am satisfied that without it, 

 unless some suitable substitute were found, the potato crop in many localities could not 

 be preserved from destruction. If reasonable care is exercised and the powder be used 

 mixed with water, there is no danger attending it, and its use in this manner in the pro- 

 portion already mentioned of a teaspoonful to a pail of water and applied with a whisk, 

 is not only safe but most economical. 



For some years past experiments have been made with various other substances 

 with the view of finding a substitute for Paris Green which would be less dangerous in 

 the hands of the careless, and among them I believe none have been used with greater 

 success than common blue vitriol or sulphate of copper, in solution in the proportion of 

 about an ounce to a pail of water, and applied in the same manner as the Paris Green 

 mixture. This article is worthy of, and will doubtless receive, a more extended trial, as 

 its use under any circumstances would be attended with but little danger. For the de- 

 struction of household pests Insect Powder has lately attracted much attention, and is 

 probably the most valuable agent we have for this purpose, and it is quite harmless to 

 man and the higher animals. There are two sorts of this powder, known in commerce 



