7 
as a spray, at the rate of about 1 pound of the poison to 150 gallons of 
water. It should be applied when the plants are first set out, so as to 
insure the poison reaching the young larvee before they have burrowed 
far into the heads. Other applications should follow as required. 
These can be made with absolute safety until the heads are about half 
formed, and, for that matter, even later, as the poison disappears from 
plants almost completely within three or four weeks after application.¢ 
Bran mash.—A mixture of bran with Paris green, one of the standard 
remedies for cutworms as well as grasshoppers, is, according to the tes- 
timony of some who have used it, successful against ‘ cabbage worms,”’ 
and should be tried against the present species. Any arsenical can be 
employed in the preparation of this mixture. It is best to mix the 
bran with water and sugar before adding the poison. The proportions 
are 2 or 3 ounces of sugar or other sweetening, and about 1 pound of 
bran, to a gallon of water; so as to make, when stirred, a mixture that 
will easily run through the fingers. In its application it is merely 
sprinkled, either wet or dry, over the affected plants. 
The hot-water remedy.—As long ago as 1883 water, at a temperature 
of about 130° F., was advised as a remedy for this cabbage ‘“‘ worm.”’ 
It does practically no harm to the plants and kills all insects with which 
it comes in contact. It is scarcely applicable to large fields, however, 
on account of the difficulty of maintaining the proper temperature. 
Kerosene emulsion is not as effective as the arsenicals, because in its 
application it is necessary for the spray to come into direct contact 
with the larve in order to kill them. 
Pyrethrum is not so useful as an arsenical. Of its effectiveness Dr. 
James Fletcher, who still advocates itsuse in Canada, wrote in 1891 that 
“diluted with four times its weight of common flour, and then kept 
tightly closed for twenty-four hours (before use), leaves nothing to be 
desired, and thousands of dollars are yearly saved to small growers, who 
most need assistance.’ Pyrethrum is rather costly and, though said to 
discolor the leaves, has the advantage of not being poisonous to human 


a Harmlessness ot arsenicals when properly ap plicd.—Chemical analysis has shown that cab- 
bage which has been dusted or sprayed with an arsenical in the way prescribed, and then 
prepared for cooking in the usual manner a week later, has not even a trace of arsenic remain- 
ing. The use of arsenicals against cabbage worms is almost universal in the United States, 
although growers are sometimes loath to acknowledge the fact for fear of the loss of cus- 
tomers who are not fully acquainted with the harmlessness of the remedy. There are no 
authentic recorded instances known to the writer of poisoning from the consumption of 
cabbage treated with an arsenical. According to Gillette, 28 cabbage heads, dusted in the 
ordinary way, would have to be eaten by a human being at one meal in order to produce 
poisonous effects. Still it is preferable, in order to avoid all danger, to use other insecticides 
in the case of vegetables that are to be eaten soon. On this head it might be well to cite the 
experience of a Virginia market gardener who dusted his cabbages with Paris green and 
flour, omitting to inform his family of the fact. A day or two later he ate heartily of this 
cabbage, as did others, and afterwards was questioned by his wife in regard to the peculiar 
powdery substance on the heads. Although poisoning was anticipated, no ill results fol- 
lowed. 
