t4 t*OtASti AS lKs6CtICit)E AND FtJNGICtDK. 



NEW JERSEY, 1890. 



By J. B. Smith, Entomologist. Eleventh Annual Report. 



"Potash has heretofore been known only as a fertilizer of very 

 high grade. Experiments made by me during the past year, prove 

 that it has a high value as an insecticide as well. It is effective against 

 plant lice of all kinds, against many naked larvae, and against the 

 wire-worms (lulus) on potatoes. It also kills cabbage maggots. 

 Though I have tested it principally on over-ground insects, yet its 

 greatest field of usefulness is against those pests that live in the ground 

 or around the roots of plants. In localities in which corn is infested by 

 cut-worms, wire-worms, etc., a heavy dressing of potash before plant- 

 ing will destroy all the insects in the ground at that time. For the 

 corn-root louse I have no doubt this will prove a perfect remedy. Where 

 potato ground is infested with the wire worms (lulus) a heavy dressing 

 with kainit will bring relief. Peach orchards that are infested with the 

 black peach aphis on the roots can be renovated by the use of the same 

 substance. On bringing the matter to the attention of farmers, many 

 have been able to recollect that with the use of potash certain insect 

 troubles ceased; but they did not heretofore credit the potash with that 

 result. This item is especially commended to peach-growers in South 

 Jersey. The kainit is preferable to the muriate as an insecticide." 

 By J. B. Smith, Entomologist. ^ Bulletin No. 75. 



' "According to the experience of many farmers, potash salts are 

 very effective as insecticides, destroying grubs and cut worms, scales 

 on peach trees, cabbage maggots, plant lice and corn-root louse. By 

 experiment it was shown that potash salts, preferably kainit were very 

 effective in killing insects." 



Rose Chafer, Use of Kainit. By J. B. Smith, Entomologist. Bul- 

 letin No. 82. Suggestions for practice: 



"Prevent the breeding of the insects on your own land. Either 

 late in the fall or early in the spring, land should be plowed and top- 

 dressed with kainit." 



1891. 

 Cut-Worms, Wire-Worms, Root-Lice. By J. B. Smith, Ento- 

 mologist. Bulletin No. 85. 



"Potash is a necessary element of plant-food for corn, and if, in 

 supplying the potash, kainit be used, injury (from wire-worms) will 

 be almost entirely prevented. Muriate of potash is also effective, but 

 less so than kainit. The evidence of all the farmers now using kainit 

 for corn, and with whom I have talked on the subject, is to the one 



