72 



ing the habits and nature of these pests of the field^ 

 and devising means for their destruction. 



Insects injurious to cotton consist of those destructive 

 to the general crops, such as the boll-- worm, cotton - 

 caterpillar, and some others ; and those which do 

 comparatively little injury, such as "the span -worm, 

 and others which feed upon petals and pollen of the 

 flowers. There are also many insects found in cotton 

 fields which do 110 damage whatever to the plant, 

 but merely feed upon the grass and weeds growing 

 between the rows* 



A class of insects which is highly beneficial, compre* 

 hcnds the larva of the lady- bird, the ichneumon of 

 flies, and many others, that are ever on the search 

 for living victims amongst the noxious tribes, and 

 which serve to keep the members of the latter within 

 proper bounds. 



Several methods for destroying insects are employed, 

 one of which the most eifective, tried in Florida is 

 the use of fire or burning torches* Myriads of noc- 

 turnal moths are attracted by the lights, burn their 

 wings as they hover around, arid are either destroyed 

 at once, or disabled from flying about to deposit their 

 eggs in distant parts of the field. Another plan, 

 which it is hoped will, upon experiment, prove 

 applicable to the enemies of the cotton plant, has 

 been lately reported as a means of destroying the 

 "tobacco fly " in Florida. This fly is in the habit of 

 feeding upon the nectar or honey contained in flowers, 

 They are particularly fond of the Jamestown weed, 

 A preparation of one pint of water, a gill of molasses 

 or honey, and an ounce of cobalt. This mixture is 

 put in a bottle, a quill inserted in the cork. Let fall a 



