18JI9.] TRANSACTIONS. 7 



but such cases are rare and not numerous enough to suggest 

 other than a general failure. 



I received a letter from Rev. VV. T. Ilutchins, the Sweet Pea 

 specialist, who is an acknowledged authority, suggesting that 

 a conference be held of those who grow and are interested either 

 for pleasure or profit, to see if some plan could be adopted 

 whereby this disease may be cured or its ravages overcome. 

 We decided on Thursday, August 10. In company with Mr. 

 Hutchins, we called upon some of the growers in the forenoon. 

 Mr. Hutchins had some theories based upon observations in 

 other places which proved to be erroneous. The afternoon 

 meeting was interesting, as such informal meetings generally 

 are, but no practical remedy was suggested. 



The Yellows — the disease that affects the Asters — has been 

 prevalent this season, some growers losing four-fifths of their 

 crop : one interesting fact is, that plants from the same lot of 

 seed grown under glass proved healthy, while those outside 

 were four-fifths diseased. 



My attention was called early in the season to the Green 

 Louse, which literally covered peas and beans ; and before 

 remedies were applied practically destnn'ed those vegetables 

 in some gardens, and they were some of the best kept ordinarily. 



Mr. George McWilliams of Whitinsville, experimented with 

 a solution of Ivory Soap, two ounces of soap to a gallon of 

 water ; also a strong decoction of Tobacco Stems, either sepa- 

 rate, or both together, proved effectual. 



My attention was called by Mrs. P. W. Canfield, and two 

 days later by Mr. C. B. Eaton, to a Caterpillar that was des- 

 troying the leaves of their elm trees, and while I was firmly 

 convinced that they were the larvae of the Elm Beetle, I was 

 not positive, but sent the caterpillars to Amherst, and my fears 

 in the matter were verified. I published in the papers the in- 

 formation I had received as to its habits and the remedy, but as 

 this was a matter for the Parks Commission your Secretary 

 felt that he had done all that devolved upon him and stopped 

 there. Then again, the lawns in this city have suffered from 

 the Grub Worm, that has in many instances nearly destroyed 



