[46] 



similar but rather more speedy, as all were dead in a few hours. Placed some of the 

 worms in a quinine bottle, recently emptied, and three young worms died in a few 

 minutes. Tried a solution of quinine, 1 grain to 1 ounce of waiter, 2 minims of elixir 

 of vitriol. This seemed to worry, but did not kill. 



26th. Applied the infusion, when they soon commenced writhing and then became 

 torpid ; ate nothing ; but found three alive on the 28th, one very large, the other two 

 middle size. Made another application of this infusion prepared on the 22d, which 

 still appears to be strong, but shows plainly fungus. Made fresh solution with cold 

 water, 1 to 30 ; applied that to 8 caterpillars, Heliothis, all sizes. Have also applied 

 powder made on 22d, to a lot, all sizes. The powder is kept in a box tightly stoppered. 

 Have reviewed circular in reference to pyrethrum, issued by the Department last 

 year. Will here mention that I planted the seed with care, as other annuals, but 

 while they grc w luxuriantly but three of the pyrethrum seed germinated, and event- 

 ually died out, owing perhaps to too much wet. If the Department will send me a 

 paper of seed this fall or next spring, I will plant them on a bluff near my spring, 

 where it is rocky and dry, with a loamy, sandy soil, and where there is shade enough 

 to protect from heat in summer. This will approximate to some extent its native 

 habitat. 



29th. On examining the three worms to which the solution was applied yesterday, 

 found the two smaller dead, the larger one alive. Of the eight to which the fresh solu- 

 tion was applied found the four smaller dead, the larger one living. Of the six to which 

 the powder was applied, after temporary writhing, they became torpid, but found all 

 alive. Have reapplied both powder and solution. All cease to eat after making any 

 application. 



30th. Found all to which the application was made yesterday dead except one 

 large one. Applied solution to another lot after noon. 



31st. Found my caterpillars apparently unaffected by the applicatioa of yesterday. 

 Have applied to them cold infusion made with cold water, 1 to 24. Brought in a 

 fresh lot, to which I have applied fresh solution, and also powder prepared with fresh 

 ashes, 1 to 8. Am satisfied that Heliothis is tougher and less sensitive to applications 

 than Aletia, and requires a stronger preparation. The ashes would recommend itself 

 on account of cheapness, and can be manipulated better, and as an alkali would tend 

 to check fungus. In regard to solution, would think hot water better than cold, but 

 when immediately used it would make no difference, as the powder mixes as well 

 with one as the other. 



The above experiments were made as a necessary preliminary to my field opera- 

 tions, as I was unacquainted with any results with pyrethrum upon the Boll Worm. 



From the number of Heliothis now in late corn, I infer considerable damage from 

 them in the late cotton. Atmospheric conditions since the 20th of August have been 

 far more favorable for insect life than previously, yet the temperature remains low for 

 the season, about 76° F. mean temperature, range from 70° to 82° F. Aletia has made 

 slow progress, but is observable now everywhere. 



Septemder 1. The worms to which the cold infusion was applied yesterday were 

 found quiet morning, all dead afternoon. Those to which the powder was applied 

 also died within thirty-six hours ; applied same powder to another lot. • 



September 2. Found "them quiet but alive this morning. 



In continuing my report for this month, will state that the weather in the early 

 part of the month was very unfavorable for field work, owing to rains; and owing to 

 meteorological and other causes, Heliothis could, only with difficulty, be found in 

 cotton at all. I traversed field, after field of cotton in search of it, with a view to 

 commence experiments, but could nowhere find them in any number that would 

 warrant experiments for practical use. As an evidence of their scarcity I will men- 

 tion that I counted along two parallel rows, one hundred and five stalks of cotton, 

 very luxuriant and in bottom land, full of forms and bolls, and found but one small 

 Boll Worm and two small bolls punctured. This furnishes an average of many exam- 

 iuations made with care. It is a common remark made by planters in my locality 

 that * ' there are no Boll Worms this year." Had I not examined corn would have come 

 to the same conclusion. My observation this season would certainly lead me to the 

 conclusion that corn is its preferred food, for nowhere have I examined corn in the 

 milk stage without finding one or more in every ear. 



September 14. Examined a field of luxuriant cotton, rows running parallel with 

 corn. Found no Boll Worms in cotton, but one in every ear of corn. They were 

 full grown. On examining hard corn found no worm, but at the base of the stalk 

 found the aperture where it had gone into chrysalis, and as there were no peas there, 

 it will in the next brood, no doubt, be found in the cotton and will furnish a field for 

 experiment. My conclusion is that this, the third, perhaps the fourth, brood is now 

 in chrysalis, and will, later in the season, be out in large numbers in cotton except where 

 corn or peas are near by. I have used the pyrethrum mixed with flour one to ten, 

 by dusting it on the silk and opening slightly and introducing a small quantity into 



