INSECT POWDER 5 
In Germany Pyrethrum roseum and P. carneum are reported by 
Schenck (242) as growing well as early as 1859, and their cultivation 
there was described in detail by Pauckert (209) in 1866. LExperi- 
ments made under the direction of the Agricultural High School on 
the cultivation of insect-powder-producing species of Chrysanthe- 
mum near Berlin in 1886, however, were unsuccessful (258). In 
1912 another effort was made to grow P. cinerariefolium in Germany 
by planting some seeds from Dalmatia in the garden of the Pharma- 
ceutical Institute of Berlin University. The winter of 1913-14 killed 
most of the plants. Nevertheless Siedler (258) believes the cultivation 
of Pyrethrum near Berlin can be made profitable. 
Kalbruner (151), in 1874, stated that in Austria Pyrethrum roseum 
and P. carneum were frequently seen in gardens, and Labler (166) in 
1889 described their cultivation there. The growing of P. cinerariz- 
foltum at Kroneuburg near Vienna is discussed by Kuraz (165). 
Semenoff (253), in 1878, stated that in the Caucasus the produc- 
tion of Persian insect powder made from the flowers of Pyrethrum 
roseum and P. carneum amounted to about 720,000 pounds annually 
in 1850, but that 20 years later 1t had decreased to less than one-third 
of this quantity, owing to the competition of the Dalmatian powder. 
The flower heads are collected from wild plants in June and July, 
and are dried first in the sun and then in the shade. 
Simmonds (259), in 1891, reported that the Pyrethrum wuillemotir 
(the name given to P. cineramefolium by Willemot) succeeds well 
in Algeria. Blinn (81) described the cultivation of Pyrethrum at the 
botanical station of Rouiba, Algeria, in 1903. From 500 to 900 kilo- 
grams (1,100 to 1,980 pounds) of dry flowers per hectare (2.47 acres) 
are obtained, depending upon the soil and the variety of Pyrethrum. 
Pyrethrum cinerarizfolium has been grown successfully in Gipps- 
land, the southeastern district of Victoria, Australia, by Paul Klee- 
sattel (17). The seeds were obtained from Zara, Dalmatia, and the 
lants are of the true Dalmatian type. Some powder prepared 
rom the flowers of these plants is said to have killing properties de- 
cidedly above the average. The cultivation of Pyrethrum in Victoria 
is described in a Melbourne agricultural paper (154). Hellier (126) 
sowed some seed of the P. Willemotii in 1872 at Grahams Town, 
Cape Colony, and also distributed packets of the seed. It grew well, 
and its insect-destroying power was “‘something extraordinary.” 
In 1883 Hellier distributed more seed, and in 1890 he reported that 
there were good specimens of plants at Waterford, in various places 
in Kaffraria, and near King Williams Town. 
MacOwan (184), of the Cape Town Botanic Garden, points out 
that Pyrethrum cinerarixfolium thrives best on an open, dry soil, 
not too clayey, as both the seed and the plant are easily killed by 
excessive moisture. The seed, which is sown about half an inch be- 
low the surface, germinates in approximately 30 days. As soon as 
the plants can be handled they are placed 6 inches apart, and three 
months later, 1 foot apart. The flowers are produced in the second 
year. In the same article it is stated that the plant appears to 
stand the winter in sandy loam in the south of England, but has not 
been observed to flower teal: 
In Japan the Pyrethrum cinerarizfolium has been grown for some 
time, and the manufacture of insect powder is a well-established 
