INTRODUCTION. XXV 



4g. The prevailing direction of the wind from July till frost. 

 4^. The side of u field on which the worms first begin to work. 

 4i. Do local topographical features influence the extent of the worm's ravages ? 

 4j. Does or can the worm feed upon any other plant than cotton, and have you 

 ever known it to do so ? 



HABITS AND NATURAL HISTORY. 



These have already been studied, and are pretty well known ; but experience will 

 differ somewhat with locality, and we call attention to the following topics : 



5. State the time when the first moths are noticed in your locality. 

 5a. Date when the first worms have been noticed in past years. 



56. Date when the last worms have been seen in past years, or were noticed the 

 present year. 



5c. Number of broods or generations of the worms generally produced. 



bd. In what other situations besides the folded cotton leaves have you known the 

 worms to spin ? 



5e. Have you ever known the chrysalis to survive a frost, or to be found in soutd 

 and healthy condition in winter? 



5/. Have you ever found the moth hibernating or flying during mild winter weather? 



5g. How late in the spring has the moth been found alive ? 



NATURAL ENEMIES. 



It is a little singular that no enemies of the Cotton Worm have hitherto been re- 

 ported. That the insect has its enemies, both special and general, there can be little 

 doubt, and we would ask particular attention to the following topics: 



6. Are any birds, quadrupeds, or reptiles known to attack the insect in your locality ? 

 6a. Are any predaceous insects or parasites known to prey upon it, either in the egg, 



larva, or chrysalis state ? 



REMEDIES AND METHODS OP DESTRUCTION. 



7. What has been the result of the efforts to allure and destroy the moths, and what 

 methods have proved most satisfactory ? Give your estimate of the relative value for 

 this purpose of poisoned sugar, molasses and vinegar, and fires. 



7a. Are the moths most attracted to sweetened substances when smeared onto 

 trees, boards, &c., or when contained in vessels in or near which lamps may be 

 lighted ? 



7h. Are any flowers known to be attractive to the moth ? If so, specify them and 

 their season of blooming. 



7c. What do you know of your own observation of the influence of jute grown near 

 or with the cotton ? 



7d. Has any effort been made to destroy the moth in its winter quarters ? 



7e. Have any systematic and organized attempts been made to gather and destroy 

 the chrysalides, or to facilitate their collection and destruction by furnishing inviting 

 material for the worms to spin up in ? 



7/. What has been done toward destroying the eggs ? 



7g. Has anything been found more generally useful and applicable or cheaper than 

 the use of the Paris green mixture to destroy the worms ? 



7h. Have you known of any injurious effects following the use of this poison, either 

 to the plant, to man, or to animals ? 



7t. State what you consider the best and most effective method of destroying them 

 in your section. 



7j. State the cost per acre of protecting a crop by the best means employed. 



IVe shall he glad to receive figures, either photographs or drawings, of machines or con- 

 trivances employed for the ivholesale use of the Paris green mixture, either in the fluid state or 

 as a powder ; or any other kinds of machines or traps employed for the destruction of the in- 

 sect. Models of such are still more desirable, and may be sent by express unpaid to the de- 

 partment. 



OTHER COTTON INSECTS. 



There are many other insects that attack and do more or less injury to the cotton 

 plant. Many of these have been figured and referred to by the former entomologist 

 to the department, Mr. Townend Glover, but there is much yet to learn of their 

 habits and natural history and of the best means of subduing them. Specimens of 

 all insects that may be found upon the plant are, therefore, earnestly solicited. With 

 accounts of their work and habits and the amount of injury J;hey do. These speci- 

 mens are best sent by mail, in tight tin or wooden boxes. If living (and all found 



