335 



Powdered cobalt, or fly poisou, was also tested, but it is a inucli dearer 

 remedy. Bluestone (sulphate of copper) solution injured neither bugs 

 nor plant. Bichromate of potash, dissolved in water, killed insects and 

 plants. Powdered hellebore had a perceptible eifect. Carbolate of 

 lime varies much in composition and character; some of it was 

 partially successful with the larvie, but doubtful with the perfect insect. 

 Ashes and air-slaked lime gave no perceptible results. 



In summing up all the evidence on the subject of remedies, it appears 

 that hand-picking, especially very early in the season, when the insects 

 first appear, and before they have had time to lay their eggs, is 

 highly advantageous, and that the use of Paris green is recommended 

 by the best authorities; but that, when using this dangerous poison, 

 the greatest care should be taken when dusting the plants that none of 

 it is carried by the wind on the person of the operator, or on any 

 neighbor's fruit, vegetables, or forage crops, and that it should be 

 mixed with at least ten to twelve parts of flour, plaster, or some other 

 material, and that an overdose is apt to kill the plants, besides leaving 

 a residuum in the soil which may prove injurious to the crops. 



Insect depredations. — The chinch-bug. — A correspondent of the 

 Missouri Eepublican writes that, after trying other ways to prevent the 

 chinch-bugs going tlirough his corn, he tried salt, and found that it will 

 effectually stop them. Take a pail of water and half a gallon of salt, 

 stir well, then with a small broom or bunch of feathers sprinkle well a 

 row of corn just ahead of the bugs, taking care that the ground between 

 the hills of corn in said row is well sprinkled with the brine. Three 

 pails of brine will S])riukle a quarter of a mile, if properly applied, and 

 will stop the bugs, if well done. The bugs generally commence on a 

 corn-field at one side and go through from row to row with almost as 

 much precision as the plowman in j^lowing the corn. 



Eavages of GEASSHOPPEE.S. — These pests have been numerous and 

 destructive during the past month in some portions of the Eastern 

 States. In Sagadahoc County, Maine, the crops and pastures were 

 injured by them very much; also in Hancock County. In Franklin 

 many fields of grain were cut to save the crops from them and for feed- 

 ing. In Oxford oats were "eaten entirely down, as clean as though fed 

 upon by sheep." In some portions of Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 

 they are reported to have eaten everything green. In Caledonia County, 

 Vermont, they have been very destructive. All through Windsor they 

 have been "a terrible scourge." In Orleans they are reported abun- 

 dant, and in Windham they have done " much injury to some of the crops." 

 In Wayne County, Pennsylvania, also, they are reported to have done 

 much darnage. 



Eeports from San Bernardino, California, state that grasshoppers in 

 "brigades" are moving from San Gorgonio to the sea, destroying every- 

 thing eatable on their line of march. These insects are said to be of 

 extraordinary size and voracity. 



Thrips on onions. — The Massachusetts Ploughman learns that the 

 genuine wheat-thrij-) has this season attacked the onion crop on one or 

 two farms in Swampscot, carrying all before them and making a clean 

 sweep. This is something new, if accurate, as there is great difference . 

 between the wheat plant and the onion. 



Yellow-jackets. — A correspondent of the Department, writing 

 from Brookhaven, jMississippi, gives the following method of destroy- 

 ing yellow-jackets, V€S]}a vulgaris: "Into four ounces of water put 



