HAND-PICKING AND PARIS GREEN. 95 



potato-beetle is a dangerous enemy, and the farmers of Massa- 

 chusetts cannot hope to meet him by any half-way measures. 

 The Western farmers have had experience with this pest, and 

 w 7 e can profit by their experience to save ourselves, instead 

 of paying for our own. Dr. Packard, in his essay, took the 

 opinion of Prof. McAfee of the Iowa Agricultural College. 

 That paper Dr. Packard quoted from the " Scientific Farmer " 

 of last month. The December number of the " Scientific 

 Farmer" will contain an article from the Professor of the 

 Iowa College, which shows that Prof. McAfee's claims are 

 entirely erroneous ; that you cannot kill out the beetle by 

 planting early potatoes ; that the only safety is in the use of 

 Paris green, etc. It is no use for Massachusetts farmers to 

 think that they can do anything, except by the use of poisons 

 or haud-picking. Any half-way measure will only result in a 

 greater loss and a larger destruction by the beetles. In the 

 ordinary working of nature, some insect-foe will appear that 

 will destroy this beetle ; but until that time comes, we have 

 got to fight it, and clear our own vines. 



Mr. Paul of Dighton. I would inquire of the gentleman 

 who read the essay, and also of Dr. Sturtevant, if they think 

 hand-picking is going to accomplish anything, when they have 

 multiplied to the extent our Secretary says he saw them in 

 Wisconsin ? 



Dr. Sturtevant. I will say that I do not think hand- 

 picking will ever be a popular remedy in New England. The 

 Western farmers may do it ; but I do not think, from what I 

 have seen of the beetle on my own plants, and from what I 

 have seen of it on other people's fields, and heard other people 

 say, that hand-picking will be a popular remedy in New Eng- 

 land. My own hope is in Paris green, which can be used 

 without any danger to the man who uses it. It is inexpen- 

 sive, can be used with very little care, is effectual, and never 

 poisons the potato-plant or potato. It must be applied when- 

 ever it is necessary, — three times, if necessary. 



Mr. . I learn, through a brother of mine in South- 

 western Connecticut, that they hand-picked until they de- 

 stroyed the larger portion of them, and then one application 

 of Paris green was sufficient. 



Dr. Sturtevant. One application will keep off one brood, 



