tfo. 5'] Miscellaneous Notes. S3 



Museum, Madras. The London Purple and force pumps experimented 

 with are those referred to in these Notes, Vol. Ill, p. 50. 



" With reference to Board's Memo. (R. S. L. R. and A.) No.l271, dated 4th August 

 1892, I have the honor to herewith subrcit a report on an experiment with London 

 Purple which was conducted on the Farm at the end of October last, and to request 

 that you will be so good as to transfer the same to the Board. 



" On October 21st the paddy (Sirumani and Chinna Samba) growing in the fields 

 near the Huzur Cutchervy was found to have been attacked by an insect known in 

 Tamil as ' Urupuchi.' This insect, which is apparently the grub of a small butter- 

 fly, is of a whitish color, from f to 1 inch long, about §• inch in diameter and is 

 provided with strong mandibles. It doubles the blade on itself by means of a web 

 and thus forms a sort of nest. The grub is said to be unable to bear the heat of 

 the sun and consequently during the day time lies idle in its nest, but at other 

 times it feeds on the neighbouring blades. 



" All the afi'ected fields, except one, were treated according to the native method 

 (hereafter described) of dealing with this particular insect and in a very short time 

 the grubs were got rid of without much damage — if any at ail — to the paddy. 



" The application of London Purple was tried on a field (areaT=:357 acres) 

 situated to the east of the road leading from the Government Slaughter-House to the 

 Huzur Cutcherry. The paddy here had been transplanted on September 27th and 

 was about 20 inches in height. On October 26th, the crops were sprayed with a solution 

 of lib. of purple in 48 gallons of water, this being done according to the instructions 

 (copy enclosed)' given on the tins of purple suy^plied to me. One tin (lib) was thus 

 used, the spraying being done with a force pump. The solution seemed to be suffi- 

 ciently and evenly distributed over the crop. The insects, however, were not in any 

 way affected by the application, for the spray did not reach the lower portions of the 

 plants, which alone were attacked by the grub. On October 29th another spraying 

 (lib in 48 gallons) was given with an ordinary watering can, but with no better 

 results than before. On October 30th it was feared that the crop would be lost. I 

 therefore ordered the native method to be tried, and in a few days the insects were 

 exterminated. The rainfall (collected at 8 a.m.) between October 26th and October 

 31st, was as follows : — 



October 26 ..... . 0"38 inches. 



26 ... . 



. 0-38 



27 , . . 



. 0-37 



28 . . . 



. 1-35 



29 . 



. mi. 



30 . 



. 0-04 



31 . . . 



. mi. 



It will be noticed that, though the first spraying may have been washed off by 

 rain, the second one was followed by dry weather. 



"The native method referred to above is as follows: The bunds are thoroughly 

 repaired and the field flooded. Cycas branches and milkhedge are dragged across the 



1 London Purple ; directions for use. The best method is with water. Mix the 

 «' London Purple " into a smooth paste, then add water in the proportion of 3 gallons to 

 1 ounce or 48 gallons to lit of " London Purple." Stir well and apply by sprinkling with 

 a whisk or fine watering pot, taking care not to deluge the plants but only to cover them 

 with a fine spray. * * * * 



These proportions are the strongest that should be used, and care is taken, a much 

 dilute mixture may be used with equal advantage. 



