oU2 Fiftieth Report ox the State Museum 



Study of American Myriapoda Desired. 

 The Myriapoda, a class embracing the centipedes and milh'pedes, have 

 not been given much study in this country, and therefore comparatively 

 little is known of them, either scientifically or in their economic relations. 

 Many of the millipedes feed only on decaying vegetable matter and are, 

 therefore, of minor economic importance. Of those recognized as in- 

 jurious to vegetation from attacking living plants, we are still without 

 knowledge of such approved methods of dealing with them as will ensure 

 protection from their varied forms of attack — especially when so 

 severe and general as above reported in the Kansas City greenhouses. 

 To meet such an emergency, we can only give a few remedies that have 

 been recommended, and suggest some methods which give promise of 

 being aidful if not entirely eiticient. 



Remedies. 



Lime has been represented as a remedy by several writers, yet it has 

 not apparently been of particular service in the present infestation. 

 John Curtis, the eminent author of " Farm Insects," states that soot 

 spread over the surface of the ground will drive the plant-feeding milli- 

 peds away, and also recommends spreading old cabbage leaves as a bait 

 for attracting them, when they may be killed with hot water. 



As they are mainly nocturnal feeders, many can be killed by lifting 

 the pots and sprinkling diluted or pure kerosene on the worms gathered 

 beneath, or wherever they may be seen on the benches or elsewhere. 

 The kerosene may be diluted by shaking it briskly in a pot, or better 

 still by making it into a strong emulsion. Pyrethrum and powdered 

 hellebore might each be experimented with as a contact insecticide, 

 either in its powdered state or mixed with water. 



Probably the best results would be obtained by the use of traps or 

 baits. Small pieces of board laid on a damp surface would be attractive 

 as hiding places. Dr. Fitch states : " On raising up a chip or fragment 

 of board that happens to be lying anywhere in the garden, you will 

 probably find lurking under it a dozen or it maybe fifty of these worms." 



The traps would be much more eflficient if made more attractive by 

 placing beneath them slices of potatoes, turnips, or carrots. In England, 

 slices of mangolds have proved to be one of the best baits that could be 

 employed. If the baits were poisoned by dipping them into a Paris green 

 mixture, it would not be necessary to visit them so often for the collec- 

 tion of the worms. 



