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212 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 
7a. Are the moths most attracted to sweetened substances when smeared onto trees, 
boards, etc., or when contained in vessels in or near which lamps may be lighted? 
7b. Are any flowers known to be attractive to the moth? If so, specify them and 
their season of blooming. 
7c. What do you know of your own observation of the influence of jute grown near 
or with the cotton? 
7d. Has any effort been made to destroy the moth in its winter quarters? 
7e. Have any systematic and organized attempts been made to gather and destroy 
the chrysalides, or to facilitate their collection and destruction by furnishing inviting 
material for the worms to spin up in? 
7f. What has been done toward destroying the eggs? 
7g. Has anything been found more generally useful and applicable or cheaper than 
the use of the Paris green mixture to destroy the worms ? 
7h. Have you known of any injurious effects following the use of this poison, either 
to the plant, to man, or to animals? 
7i. State what you consider the best and most effective method of destroying them 
in your section. 
7}. State the cost per acre of protecting a crop by the best means employed. 
te We shall be glad to receive figures, either photographs or drawings, of machines or con- 
trivances employed for the wholesale use of the Paris green mixture, either in the fluid state or 
as a powder ; or any other kinds of machines or traps employed for the destruction of the in- 
sect. Models of such are still more desirable, and may be sent by express unpaid to the de- 
partment. : 
OTHER COTTON INSECTS. 
There are many other insects that attack and do more or less injury to the cotton 
plant. Many of these have been figured and referred to by the former entomologist 
to the department, Mr. Townend Glover, but there is much yet to learn of their 
habits and natural history and of the best means of subduing them. Specimens of 
all insects that may be found upon the plant are, therefore, earnestly solicited, with 
accounts of their work and habits and the amount of injury they do. These speci- 
mens are best sent by mail, in tight tin or wooden boxes. If living (and all found 
feeding on the plant should thus be sent) a supply of food should be inclosed with 
them; if first killed, they should be carefully packed in a little cotton to prevent 
shaking and breaking. 
ke Correspondents who desire to make especial observations with a view of replying to this 
circular, and who wish further information as to the best manner of preserving specimens, 
will receive assistance and further instructions upon communicating with the department. 
CHAS. V. RILEY, 
Entomologist. 
Two circumstances have somewhat interfered with the inquiry, viz., 
the yellow fever and the general freedom of the plant from the cotton- 
worm, the serious injuries of this last having been restricted to the cane- 
brake regions of Alabama and to the southwest counties of Georgia, 
especially the country between the forks of the Flint and Chattahoochee 
Rivers—the more malarious portions of either State. Its appearance in 
injurious numbers both here and in South Texas was from four to six 
weeks later than usual, and this was one cause of the small amount of 
injury done. The weather at the time of their greatest abundance was 
wet and interfered with the application of remedies. 
Professor Comstock’s observations were chiefly confined to that fer- 
tile cotton-growing region along the line of the Alabama Central Rail- 
road known as the “cane-brake.” He reached Selma July 20. There 
he met many prominent planters, and from them collected important 
statistics respecting the occurrence of the cotton-worm and the results of 
experiments in the use of remedies for this species. July 23 he began his 
field observations near Uniontown, Perry County, and from that time 
on, till the middle of October, he was constantly engaged in studying 
the habits of cotton insects on plantations in Dallas, Perry, Hale, and 
Marengo Counties. His only absence from this region was from August 
10 to August 15, when I directed him to make a trip through the State 
northward as far as Madison County, where much cotton is grown. 
Professor Comstock has prepared a full and valuable report, which will 
be incorporated in the final report of the investigation. 
