18 



■with dew — a remedy "wliicli lias proved very efiQcient against the Colorada 

 potato beetle and other insects. Some report the remedy effectual against 

 the cotton caterpillar, while others declare it is of no value whatever; 

 others still hesitate to try it for fear of poisoning. It is ot the uttermost 

 importance that the facts in the experience of planters the present season 

 should be carefully reported, showing the quality and proportions of ma- 

 terial used, the methods and frequency of its application, and the observed 

 results, that a thorough test may be made of its value or worthlessness. 

 The answers of the following questions is therefore requested : 



1. What is the result of your experience, or observations as to the 

 efficacy of Paris green or other arsenical compounds, mixed with flour or 

 plaster, for the destruction of the cotton caterpillar ? 



2. In what proportions, and in what mode, time, and frequency of ap- 

 plication have your experiments beeu made ? 



3. Have any injurious effects of the poison been observed, either upon 

 the plant or the soil, or in human poisoning in its application, or in the 

 destruction of beneficial insects, as bees, etc.? 



4. Have you used any other remedies or means of extirpation, such as 

 fires or torches in the fields, to destroy the perfect moths on their first ap- 

 pearance, and with what success ?" 



Returns were received from one hundred and seventy counties in the 

 cotton growing States, Alabama and Texas sending the most numerous and 

 complete answers. Of seventy returns reporting actaal experiment, at least 

 four-fifths declared either partial or full success of applications of Paris- 

 green or other arsenical compounds. 



From the mass of evidence in relation to the compound known as Paris- 

 green, for and against, the Department drew these 



Conclusions: "The use of Paris-green, when pure and unadultrated, 

 mixed with flour in the proportion of one part of Paris green to 25 to 30 

 parts of flour, is of utility, and in many cases has saved the crops ,* that in 

 many instances when the Paris green has failed it has been attributed to 

 improper use or using a spurious article." 



These opinions do not differ in any essential point from those expressed 

 by many who have written to me on the same subject ; and there is every 

 reason why planters should give Paris green, the pure and genuine article, 

 a trial with every assurance of very beneficial results, if properly and 

 thoroughly applied and in the right season. 



Some planters who have favored me with replies, say that they have 

 almost cleared their cotton fields of the worms, by ploughing between the 

 rows with pine brush fastened to the swingle tree which brushes the cater- 

 pillar off the plants on to the ground, where they are either turned under the 

 earth, or scorched to death before they are able to again ascend the plant 

 Others recommend the use of kerosine oil, cresylic soap, salt water, and 

 many other applications the use of which for many reasons would seem 

 impracticable. 



