INJURIOUS INSECTS. 91 



not destroy the germ, a large proportion of the peas will 

 grow if planted ; but we can never get so vigorous plants 

 as from seed which is not infested, other things being 

 equal. 



These insects are more common than is generally sup- 

 posed, and are often overlooked while in the larva state in 

 our green peas ; but it is authoritatively stated that in this 

 state they are perfectly harmless in our food ; nevertheless, 

 it is not very appetizing if we know that we are eating large 

 numbers of luscious worms in our green peas. The remedies 

 for this species are the same as those for the bean-weevil. 



Insecticides. 



I desire to call your attention to some of the substances 

 used for the destruction of insects and the methods of using 

 them. 



Paris green is well known, and has long been in use 

 among the farmers all over the country, for the destruction 

 of the Colorado potato beetle, but there seems to be a pre- 

 judice against using it for other insects because of its poison- 

 ous properties. That it is a rank poison every one knows, 

 yet all are familiar with its use on potatoes, and since it has 

 been proven to be quite as destructive to all the leaf-eating 

 insects of our fruit and shade trees, I can see no reason why 

 it may not be as carefully and successfully us^d on these as 

 on potatoes. It is of course unnecessary for me to give any 

 directions how to apply it to the potato crop, but when it is 

 desirable to apply the poison to tall shrubs or trees, it is 

 necessary to use a forcing pump, of which many kinds have 

 been prepared and put on the market. The main point is 

 to be able to send the water in a fine mist high enough to 

 drench every part of the tree, and this should be continued 

 till the water begins to drip from the leaves. If a stream of 

 water be thrown through the ordinary nozzle above the tree, 

 and allowed to break into drops in its fall, the momentum 

 will allow but a small portion of the poison to adhere to the 

 leaves. The water with the paris green in suspension may 

 be taken by the barrel on a cart, and hauled around in the 

 orchard when a large quantity is to be used, or when a small 

 quantity is required it can be carried around in a paiil. 



