1881. ] Entomology. 569 
Tue CULTIVATION OF PyRETHRUM AND MANUFACTURE OF THE 
PowpEer.—In accordance with an announcement in the March 
number of the Narura.isT, the editor of this department has sent 
out the seed of two species of Pyrethrum, viz: P. rosewm and P. 
cinerariefolium, to a large number of correspondents in different 
parts of North America. Every mail brings us some inquiries for 
further particulars and directions to guide in the cultivation of the 
plant and preparation of the powder. We have concluded, there- 
tore, that such information as is obtainable on these heads will 
prove of public interest, and we shall ask Professor Bessey’s 
pardon for trenching somewhat on his domain. 
There are very few data at hand concerning the discovery of 
the insecticide properties of Pyrethrum. The powder has been in 
use for many years in Asiatic countries south of the Caucasus 
mountains. It was sold at a high price by the inhabitants, who suc- 
cessfully kept its nature a secret until the beginning of this cen- 
ury, when an Armenian merchant, Mr. Jumtikoff, learned that the 
powder was obtained from the dried and pulverized flower-heads 
of certain species of Pyrethrum growing abundantly in the moun- 
tain region of what is now known as the Russian province of 
Transcaucasia. The son of Mr. Jumtikoff began the manufacture 
of the article on a large scale in 1828, after which year the Pyre- 
thrum industry steadily grew, until to-day the export of the dried 
flower-heads represents an important item in the revenue of those 
countries, 
Still less seems to be known of the discovery and history of the 
Dalmatian species of Pyrethrum (P. cinerariefolium), but it is prob- 
able that its history is very similar to that of the Asiatic species. 
At the present time the Pyrethrum flowers are considered by far 
the most valuable product of the soil of Dalmatia. 
There is also very little information published regarding either 
the mode of growth or the cultivation of Pyrethrum plants in their 
Native home. As to the Caucasian species we have reasons to be- 
lieve that they are not cultivated, at least not at the present time, 
statements to the contrary notwithstanding! The well-known Dr. 
ustav Radde, director of the Imperial Museum of Natural His- 
tory at Tiflis, Traascaucasia, who is the highest living authority 
©n everything pertaining to the natural history of that region, 
Wrote us recently as follows: “The only species of its genus, 
Pyrethrum roseum, which gives a good, effective insect powder, is 
nowhere cultivated, but grows wild in the basal-alpine zone of our 
mountains at an altitude of from 6000 to 8009 feet.” From this it 
appears that this species, at least, is not cultivated in its native home, 
and Dr. Radde’s statement is corroborated by a communication of 
Mr, S. M. Hutton, Vice-Consul General of the U. S. at Moscow, 
Russia, to whom we applied for seed of this species. He writ 
that his agents were not able to get more than about half a pound 
1 : _ : 
Report Comm. of Patents, 1857, Agriculture, p. 130. 
