[86] REPORT 4, UNITED STATES ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. 



the former or latter season only as it permits the predatory ants to destroy them; nor 

 does the wet weather favor the production of the insect only as it drives the ants to 

 their holes. Were it not for the ant the cotton plant would never make the first limh, 

 or, escaping this, could not mature a single boll on account of its second enemy, the 

 worms. 



''Then let us curse the little biting ant no more when we happen to get a shoe 

 full, but remember that we are indebted to this diminutive creature for every thread 

 of cotton that has gone into the commerce of the world." 



Thus you see that about ten years ago the Rev. N. A. Davis informs me of his dis- 

 covery of the destruction of the Cotton Worm by the ant; to which I have added the 

 additional fact of the destruction of the Cotton Louse earlier in the season by the same 

 ant. The observation of each succeeding year since that time has confirmed me in 

 the opinion, and our last summer, the driest I ever saw, yielded no specimens of the 

 worna or louse within my observation. Please obtain the technical name of inclosed 

 ant. 



Yours, respectfullv, 



F. L. YOAKUM. 



Prof. •: . V. Riley. 



Perry Couxty, AlabajVIa, SejJtemler 17, 1879. 

 T beg leave to ofii"er the following, in answer to your questions in regard to the hab- 

 its of the Cotton Worm, and the best modes of destroying the same: 



1. I can remember seeing cotton grown as far back: as 1820 in Autauga County, Ala- 

 bama. Since 1822 I have been cultivating the plant in Perry County, on sandy land. 



2. In 1837, about the middle of September, was the earliest I ever saw them. No 

 damage of any consequence afterwards uutil 1866. 



3. In my opinion, the worms are worse after a severe winter. I suppose it is be- 

 cause they come out oftener during mild winters and are consumed by the birds. 



4. Hot,'dry weather seems to be the life of them. 



5. The 20th June is the earliest I have noticed them, but doing no serious damage 

 until 20th July. 



6. They invariably make their appearance first in the low, black lands of West 

 Perry County. 



7. They hide themselves in old barns and rotten trees during the winter, coming out 

 in the afternoon of warm days. 



8. The appearance of the worm does not seem to attract any kinds of birds to our 

 fields, but all domestic fowls devour them ravenously, as do also hogs and ants. 



9. There has been no method adopted for destroying the moth successfully. 



10. They are attracted in larger numbers by decayed fruit of almost any kind than 

 "by anything I know of (during night). 



13. Paris green seems to be the most reliable mode of destroying them, though some 

 of my neighbors have used London purple with good effect. 



14. It is dangerous to men, animals, and cotton when used with indiscretion. 



15. I have used kerosene oil, one part to thirty parts water, effectually, and spirits 

 of turpentine will do about as well. I believe pine sawdust sown lightly with the seed 

 would be a preventive. 



Yours. &c., 



O. H. PERRY. 

 Prof. C. V. Riley. 



Walterborough, Colleton County, South Carolina, 



September 28, 1879. 

 I mail you this day my report, as requested by you in circular No, 7. This report is 

 not as full as one I made last year to the Department, but what I have said is founded 

 i<m experience and close observation of the Cotton Worm for years. 

 Trusting that it may be of some use in your department. 

 I am, very respectfullv, yours, &c., 



JAMES W. GRACE. 

 C. V. Riley, Chief U. S. E. C. 



1. Cannot stale from any reliable authority, but cotton was grown soon after the 

 •ettlement of the county, for domestic purposes. 



2. As early as 1793 the worm swept over the State, but It is first recorded in this 

 district in 1800 as prevailing generally. 



3. The worm is most to bo dreaded after a mild, warm winter. He will make hi* 

 •ppearance sooner in the following season. 



4. Wet summers by all means favor its multiplication. 



