Sec. 12] ENTOMOLOGICAL. 



a decoration, is very destructive to insect life. This plant is not a native of 

 this country, but is cultivated here, and can be easily multiplied. 



Disease of the Cqfee-Tree. — Dr. Montague stated, at a meeting of the 

 Society, that a disease has attacked the coflee-trees of Ceylon, similar to the 

 cidium of the grapevines. The same disease has been observed in the West 

 Indies. Olives and mulberries are attacked; insects arc observed uj)on 

 tlieiri, something like the cochineal insect. There is also an exudation of a 

 sweet gum that attracts insects. Milk of lime and purin — an extract of 

 manure — are used as a preventive. 



Ailanthus, as a food for silk-worms, has been used in France with success. 



Kerosene Oil for Insects. — Wm. G. Le Due, of Hastings, sends ns a rem- 

 edy for caterpillars and other insects, easily applied. It is kerosene oil. 

 He says : 



" Finding some large nests of caterpillars on my plum-trees, I took a can 

 of illuminating oil, as it is called, and applying a few drops (sufficient to 

 saturate the web of the nest), found that it worked like a charm. It is in- 

 stant death to the vermin. Care should be taken not to apply it to the 

 leaves of the plant or tree, as they will be scalded at once. I have but little 

 doubt that, in the hands of j'our careful experimentalists, it will prove of 

 value. The coarser oils of coal will no doubt be equally efficacious in many 

 instances. I may as well mention here, also, that I have found kerosene oil 

 a most excellent diluent of printers' ink, which I use in my flouring-mill for 

 stencil-plate marking. It would be a thorough cleanser of type, though, per- 

 haps, not so cheap as potash." 



Coal-Tar for Insects. — Prof. Mapes — "We are very free of destructive tree 

 insects, tliis year (ISCO), in Kew Jersey, but have a fair show of other pests of 

 the farm and garden, and we are obliged to resort to some remedy. We can 

 not grow early turnips without using something to keep the insects off, and 

 I am glad that the necessity stimulates invention to assist farmers in the de- 

 struction of these pests. I have lately tried one called "attenuated coal- 

 tar," and find it effectual. It is likely to be a very valuable aid to fruit- 

 growers and gardeners. It is in the form of powder, and wherever sprinkled 

 upon insect-infested plants, tlie insects leave at once. It is coal-tar mixed 

 with some substance so as to retain all its odor, and yet remain in the form 

 of a dry powder. 



Mr. Lawton — The Black Tartarian is a good sort of cherry, but I prefer 

 the Black Eagle ; it is a very hardy variety, and very productive. The En- 

 glish Morello is an acid cherry, and the tree very free from insects. We 

 have not had a rose-bug witli us this year. 



fcsoLON lioBiNSON Stated tiiat, only five miles from Mr. Lawton, the rose- 

 bugs infested liis cherry-trees by myriads, destroying more than half the 

 fruit. Mr. R. inquired of Mr. Lawton what it was that ate his cherry-leaves, 

 if it was not rose-bugs, as they were evidently eaten by some insect, and if 

 coal-t!ir or anything else will prevent their ravages, it should be extensively 

 known. 



