EXTRACTS AND DECOCTIONS OF DIFFERENT PLANTS. 187 
Poke weed (Phytolacca decandra). Decoction of leaves and berries ; 
also alcoholic extract from the dried root. No result. [R. W. Jones.] 
u I did not obtain any effect with the decoction prepared by Messrs. 
Jones and Koane, but a very small quantity prepared by Professor Bar- 
nard had a decided effect, killing the young worms and seriously affect- 
ing the older ones. It was applied undiluted, by means of a hand at- 
omizer. The extract acted upon contact in a very short time, the young 
worms falling in convulsion of short duration before dying. The old 
worms had all recovered the second day. Professor Barnard afterwards 
told me that this extract was a very strong one." [E. A. Schwarz.| 
Mandrake (Podophyllum peltatum). Powder from dried root dusted 
on the worms; also applied stirred up in water. No result. [E. A. 
Schwarz.] 
Quassia tea (2 ounces to one-half gallon of water). "Worms feeble 
next morning, but alive." [C. V. Iiiley.J 
Capsicum. — Mr. Schwarz experimented with this substance, and re- 
ports as follows: 
September 18. — Undiluted capsicum was sprayed (with the hand atomizer) indoors 
on some cotton worms of average size. No immediate effect visible and none one 
hour afterw ards, but twelve hours later all worms were dead. 
September 19. — The same experiment repeated in the field on worms on an isolated 
plant. No effect visible after two hours, but six hours later all worms sprayed with 
the substance were found dead. Applied capsicum diluted with five times the amount 
of water. No effect visible after twelve hours, the worms feeding again on the leaves 
sprayed with the mixture. The experiments were then discontinued on account of 
the most unpleasant effect of the capsicum upon myself. From my last experiment, 
however, I do not believe that capsicum will bear much dilution without losing its 
eftieacy on the worms. It undoubtedly affects the worms by contact, though I am 
unable to explain the exact manner in which it art-;. 
None of these vegetable preparations appear to be hurtful to the 
plants, though in several instances it has been observed that the leaves 
became slightly scorched upon application during very hot, bright sun- 
shine, especially in forenoon after the dew had disappeared. As the 
same substances were subsequently or previously applied without injury 
to the plants, there can hardly be any doubt that this injurious influ- 
ence must be attributed to other conditions. While speaking of arsen- 
ical poisons and kerosene, I mentioned that they are more liable to injure 
the plants when applied during hot sunshine than during cloudy weather 
or toward evening. In the case of these vegetable preparations the 
same conditions doubtless prevail. 
As a remarkable fact in connection with these experiments, we would 
still mention the slight effect produced on the worms by alcohol. Many 
of the alcoholic extracts experimented with consisted of one-third alco- 
hol, and had no effect whatever, even upon very young worms. Even 
pure alcohol, when sprayed on the worms, only kills the youngest ones, 
the average sized ones soon recovering, while the full-grown ones are 
hardly affected. 
