10 



two to three times as much as of arsenic, and the table given under 

 that poison can be changed so that it will apply to Paris Green. 



The antidotes for Paris Green are given on the packages sold in 

 this state, or that given for arsenic may be used. 



LONDON PURPLE. 



This substance is one of the waste products obtained in the manu- 

 facture of aniline dyes, and, according to an analysis made by Prof. 

 Collier, contains about 43 per cent, of arsenic. If unadulterated, a 

 fatal dose would be about the same as that of the commercial Paris 

 Green. It does not appear to be so generally used as an insecticide 

 in Massachusetts as Paris Green, for which I cannot find any good 

 reason, unless the farmers first got accustomed to the use of Paris 

 Green and are slow to change ; or else because London Purple is sold 

 in bulk, while Paris Green is put up in more convenient packages. 



HELLEBORE. 



White Hellebore {Veratruvi album) is in general use for the des- 

 truction of the currant worm {Nematus Ribesii) , and is the most 

 poisonous of all the species of Hellebore. Blyth, in his work pre- 

 viously referred to, states that a dose of "20 grains of powdered root 

 has caused death, and, on the other hand, ten times that quantity 

 has been taken with impunity, so that at present, it is quite an open 

 question just how much may prove fatal." It is probable that the 

 powdered root loses its active principle with age, and becomes not 

 only less poisonous, but also less valuable as an insecticide. 



Division of Horticulture. 



S. T. MAYNARD. 



Rejoort on new and standard varieties of fruit. 



As each season passes, more positive knowledge as to the value of 

 the old and new varieties is brought out. Old varieties often devel- 

 ope some quality either good or bad, not before known, which affect 

 their value for market or other purposes : diseases or weaknesses 

 become more marked, or valuable qualities become more noticeable, 



