351 
An unknown insect was destroying grapes in Calhoun County, Ala- 
bama. 
Rose-bug (Macrodactylus subspinosis) injured fruit-trees in Monroe 
County, West Virginia. 
Canker-worm, (Anisopteryx vernata.)—These worms destroyed a third 
of the orchards of Winnebago County, Illinois. Our correspondent sug- 
gests as an effective preventive a slip of wooled sheep-skin three inches 
wide, wool outward, nailed round the tree next the ground very early in 
spring. 
Apple-worms, (Carpocapsa pomonella.)—The ravages of the apple- 
worm reduced the apple-crop of Whiteside County, Llinois, fully one- 
fourth. 
Tent-caterpillars, (Clisio campa-disstria.)—These insects injured fruit 
and shrubbery in Edward County, Illinois, and iu Clarke County, Iowa. 
Squash-bugs, (Gonocerus tristis.)—These pests were numerous in Bu-. 
reau County, Illinois. A solution of hen-manure was found to be an 
effective remedy. 
CHEMICAL NOTES. | 
By Wm. McMuvurtTRI£, CHEMIST. 9 
NITROGENOUS WASTES.—In a note by M. L. L’Hote to the Academy 
of Sciences of Paris, which was published in Comptes Rendus, he de- 
scribes a method for the utilization of nitrogenous wastes, which, while 
it has the merit of affording a means of getting rid of much useless 
material, has also the disadvantage of being quite expensive, and on 
this account it may prove unprofitable. The process depends upon dis- 
solving the nitrogenous wastes in a one-tenth solution of caustic soda 
in the cold, or by heating carefully in order to avoid production of am- 
monia, in this way obtaining a solution, or, at least, a complete disin- 
tegration of the material. The viscous solution thus formed is mixed 
with sufficient slaked lime to form a pasty mass, and the whole placed 
in a close vessel connected with a receiver containing sulphuric acid, 
(chamber-acid,) and the mixture heated carefully at a low temperature 
to avoid dissociation of the ammonia. After the disengagement of gas 
has ceased the temperature is raised to a bright red heat. ‘When the 
operation is finished the residue consists of caustic lime and carbonate 
of soda, which, being treated with water, regenerates the soda, which 
may be used again. The sulphate of ammonia produced, which is col- 
ored, may be purified by crystallization. 
A NEW oPiuM.—M. P. Carles, in a communication to the Journal de 
Pharmacie et de Chimie, describes a new opium, said to come from Per- 
sia, which differs in some particulars from that of Smyrna. He describes 
it as follows: 
This opium exists under the form of conical loaves, weighing about 440 grams, and 
obtained from the leaves of poppy, portions of which remain. It is free from seeds of 
rumex, and its odor, unlike that of the opium of Smyrna, is not poisonous, but exactly 
like that of green coffee ; but when it is heated it hasa sensible odor of chocolate. 
It is soft like ordinary opium, containing 5.60 per cent. of moisture. When well dried 
it is easily pulverized, but it is slowly deliquescent. The color of the paste is 
tawny, and is not darkened by exposure to the air. Examined with the naked eye, 
or by the aid of a magnifying glass, it appears very fine and homogeneous. Unlike 
the officinal species, it mixes easily with water, without being worked up with the 
liquid. The solution is slightly colored. 
