156 DISEASES OF THE COTTON PLANT. 
be no reason why it should not answer also in regions 
where honey-bees are not kept, for all such insects as are 
attracted by sweet substances ; and it is to be hoped that 
experiments will be made the ensuing season, and reported 
for the public good. The thing to be chiefly desired now 
is, to find out the favorite food of the particular kind of 
insect to be destroyed; then to discover and use some 
efficient poison for the accomplishment of the purpose. 
If, however, birds should perish from feeding upon these 
poisoned insects, it will somewhat militate against the ad- 
vantages of the plan. 
Several experiments were made in Florida by the writer, 
on the utility of using arsenic, cobalt, and strychnine, as 
means of destroying insects, some few of which succeeded, 
while many failed. In several instances, the insects would 
not touch the mixture at all. 
Honey or sugar and rum, when rubbed on the bark of 
trees, will attract and intoxicate several species of insects, 
and might sometimes be advantageously used. Many 
planters in the Southern States recommend the berries of 
the "China-tree," or "Pride of China" {Melia azderack), 
to be put around cabbage-plants, in order to prevent the 
attack of the cut-worm ; and as it is already known that 
these berries have an intoxicating effect upon the robins 
'which eat so freely of them, they may have the same nar- 
cotic properties when applied to insects. It is at least 
worth while to make the experiment. Whale-oil soap, 
mixed with water, in proper proportions, thrown upon 
plants infested with plant-lice (Aphides), is almost certain to 
-destroy them. Flour of sulphur is stated to be useful 
when applied to grape-vines, or any other plants which are 
infested with the red spider, or are attacked by a fungoid 
growth. A mixture of a gallon of water, a gallon of whis- 
