29 
Stramoniinn. — June 10: made an infusiou of 6 ounces of the leaves 
and young tops of Stramonium in 3 pints of water. Let it draw two 
hours. When cool I applied it as I did the others, by dipping the ends 
of the branches. The liquid was not bitter, but I depended on the effects 
of the poisonous narcotic principle, which, like its near relativ^e, tobacco, 
it very largely contains. In this I was not disappointed, for, although 
it would not adhere ver^^ closely, the Aphides seemed to diminish and die 
after the third application ; and if any scattering ones remained they 
were soon eaten up or destroyed by their enemies. T should note that a 
few rose bushes, infested with Eose Aphis [Siplionophora rosw), were 
treated in a similar manner to the peach and cherry leaves, but the lice 
seemed somewhat harder to kill. 
Alder Baric. — June 11 : I thought I would try an infusion of alder bark, 
because it contained the tanning principle, which is an astringent, and as 
all astringents, whether vegetable or mineral, are more or lessinsecticidal 
in their nature, I thought that perhaps it might be of some value. I 
found it had some effect as an insecticide, but as the infusiou is very 
dark, almost as black as ink, and discolors the leaves a good deal, I 
left it off and do not recommend it. 
Quassia. — June 11: made an infusion or extract of quassia chips 
or bark, ground fine. These are made more nicely prepared than for- 
merly. Gardeners know well the power of this bitter, in greenhouses 
and graperies, in keeping down Green Fly, as they call it [Siphonophora 
viticola), also Thrips [Erytkroneura)^ and lied Spider {Tetr any elms). I 
poured two quarts of boiling water on four ounces of quassia. This 
made a strong inf'asion of a beautiful brown color, similar to the tea we 
use from the shops. I thought surely this would kill at the first dip, but 
it did not, though very bitter. It took three dips of this strong liquid 
to kill these Aphides on the Peach, the Oherrj^, and the Rose, and then 
there were some stragglers around, of which I could not be sure whether 
they escaped from the effects of the dipping, or came in from other parts 
of the tree or rose bush. 
Coloquintida, or Colocyntli Gourd. — June 11: this bitter principle I have 
formerl}' used to a limited extent, in greenhouses, and have a high o[)iu- 
ion of its meritsj but quassia being so much cheaper and generally 
effective, I have mostly used it. However, I procured an ounce of colo- 
cynth, ground it up, and put on nearly a piut of boiling water, and drew 
it as tea. It is very i)Owerful as a bitter, but it took three dips to erad- 
icate the Aphides from the rose bush, peach, and cherry trees. 
Furtlier Experiments. — Monday, June 15: went out a short distance in 
the country, about one mile east of Trenton, to the lands occupied by Mr. 
James McGrath, who is an extensive cabbage-grower, and got liberty to 
make some tests with a view to preventing the cut-worm froui injuring 
the young cabbages. I had previously learned that he was going to 
plant on this day. Was allotted a piece to experiment on, that contained 
