170 
and then either destroy the worms by hand or gather and feed the corn 
while the worms are still within the ears. Very few cotton-growers 
would adopt this method of three plantings, as they would regard it as 
too much trouble. Planting trap rows but once, however, and having 
to do nothing to them but to cultivate along with the cotton, will be 
and is practiced quite largely. If this was practiced still more exten- 
sively we would not hear so much complaint about loss through damage 
by the Boll Worm. 
Mr. Webster thought the chief difficulty in improving methods at 
the South was due to the ignorance and incompetence of the colored 
help. 
The following paper was then read : 
THE CHEESE OR MEAT SKIPPER. 
(PiopMla casei.) 
By Mary E. Murtfeldt, Kirkivood, Mo. 
In dealing with the insects detrimental to agriculture the entomol. 
ogist encounters no obstruction in the reluctance of the farmer to have 
his losses made known. With the pessimism characteristic of the pro- 
fession, the latter is inclined to exaggerate rather than to make light 
of his difficulties and losses, and therefore gives the fullest publicity 
to any agency from which he suffers ; but in the investigation of the 
habits and economic relations of an insect injurious to manufactured 
products the case is very different. The prudent manufacturer or 
merchant is very careful not to give to the public any fact which might 
arouse suspicion concerning the quality or durability of his products 
or wares. In the case of manufacturers such caution is especially 
necessary, as the tide of trade is so easily turned, and there are so 
many rivals in the field eager to take advantage of the smallest fact 
to the prejudice of a competitor. As an instance of this, one of our 
shoe manufacturers in St. Louis found, some years ago, that his stock 
was being injured by the Leather Beetle (Bermestes vulpinus Fabr). 
In his desire for a remedy he very appropriately applied to Dr. Riley, 
of Washington, who instituted an investigation as to the nature of the 
depredator and the means for eliminating it. I had the honor to assist 
in these studies, and I well remember the change of manner in the 
proprietor of the concern between the first visits to his establishment 
and those made later. At first every facility for observation was 
granted, and all questions fully and obligingly answered ; but subse- 
quent visits were somewhat coldly received and very little information 
could be elicited, and there was a general air of desiring to ignore the 
whole matter. This was explained sometime afterward, when a part- 
