A NEW INSTRUMENT FOR REACHING ROOT-INSECTS. 35 



of the tube expands like a bowl. The upper portion of the shaft is 

 weighted with a heavy ball, so disposed that the shaft can be grasped 

 above the ball. By partly withdrawing the shaft from the tube and 

 then returning it with force as the lower end of the tube rests on the 

 ground, both can be driven into the ground to any required depth. The 

 shaft is then wholly withdrawn, and the insecticide poured into the tube, 

 thus placing it beneath the roots without coming in contact with them, 

 if the instrument has been properly inserted. The tube is then with- 

 drawn, and the hole made by it filled with earth. The insecticide, being 

 volatile, rises through the ground and becomes diffused. With this 

 method of application it is believed that kerosene is superior to naptha- 

 line. {Psyche, for January-February, 1884, iv. p. 134.) 



In a communication by Dr. Barnard to Psyche for March, 1884, it is 

 stated that experiments made with the nether-inserter in applying pe- 

 troleum for destroying phylloxera on vines near Washington have given 

 " perfect satisfaction." " The nether-upward kerosene diffusion pro- 

 cess is the only economically practical way in which the deep appli- 

 cation of the undiluted forms of petroleum can be attempted with 

 safety to the plant. By it the cheap, crude article and its lighter 

 form, the naphthas, become most valuable agents against the pests. It 

 applies likewise as a treatment against all other root-insects or subter- 

 ranean pests, as, for example, the American blight aphid \^Sc]iizoneura 

 lanigera\, the hop-root Gortyna S^Gortyna immanis\, root maggots of the 

 cabbage, etc. \ AjithomyiidcE], the strawberry root beetles, cicadas, cut- 

 worms, white-grubs, wire-worms, nests of ants, etc. Thus it is seen to 

 have a general application to a wide range of cases heretofore not sat- 

 isfactorily treated." 



Dr. Barnard claims also that the nether-inserter may also be effici- 

 ently used with many other insecticides, of which are the following: "Rhi- 

 golene, gasolene, naphtha, benzine, kerosene, crude petroleum, oil of tar, 

 tar water, naphthaline, pyroligneous acid, soot, creosote, carbolic acid, 

 cresylic acid, sulphurous acid, sulphocyanide of potassium, bisulphide 

 of carbon, cyanide of potassium, pyrethrum preparations, lye solutions, 

 tobacco decoction, chips and snuff water, gas water," and it may also be 

 used for the application of liquid fertilizers, vapors, gases or fumes. 

 In short it is available with any upward-acting insecticide against any 

 underground enemies. 



Naphthaline as an Insecticide, 

 From a paper read by Prof. C. V. Riley before the Biological Society 

 of Washington, on December 14, 1883, it appears that naphthaline, 

 [Cio H3] was first made in 1808. Its use as a substitute for camphor 



