REPORTS OF DR. E. H. ANDERSON. 
[47] 
the apex of the ear, and on examining the following day have found the worm miss- 
ing. It drives it out, if it does not kill it. 
i have used it on pea vines in infusion 1 to 30 by spraying, but cannot as yet re- 
port accurate results, although it is certain that its use diminishes the visits of insects 
of various kinds that frequent them for nectar. Finding myself foiled in prosecuting 
experiments implicitly, according to instructions, I have endeavored to study its 
habits where I have found it, hoping to place at your disposal some simple audfeasi- 
hle plan of preventing its ravages in cotton. Recent observation has strengthened my 
belief, as intimated in a former report, that they prefer peas to cotton ; audit would 
Mem very natural, if they do eat peas, that a« after leaving corn they go into chrysa- 
lis at the foot of the stalk, when they emerge as moth they would commence upon 
the nectar of the pea, right at hand, and there also incubate, as the pea furnishes food 
for its larva}. As the pea continues to bloom throughout the season, when visited by 
occasional showers, it would there find a continuous and inexhaustible supply. This 
plan would not only be within reach of everfarmer, but would add to his food supply 
and prove a blessing. I shall continue my visits daily to the field, and will commence 
-praying, under instructions, as soon as the worm makes its appearance ; and, judging 
Erom past experience, it will not be long before the larva? will he out in full force. 
A < i ii< m asou lias been so unpropitious I will here offer to continue experiments to 
tin |5th October, without salary for that time. I will here remark that all the usual 
insect visitors of cotton are less numerous than nsoaL The effect of Aletia is no- 
where visible, though a few may be found in any held. A later brood may strip the 
cotton, but w ill be too late to do any damage. The reason has been characterized bv 
low temperature, but abundant moisture, proving that high continued temperature, 
■■well M moisture, are essential to the propagation of these two Noctuids. The 
fact that there has been a succession of corn crops ami abundant pea crops this oea- 
s<»n and an absence of Boll Worms in cotton corroborates the belief that Heliothis 
prefers the former to the latter as 1 < < »« 1 . Having t'aih d to liud Heliothis in cotton in 
sufficient numbers for experiment, on the 18th I transferred 12 small larva? from corn 
to cotton. On the following day spra.wd the stalk with an infusion of pyrethrmn 1 
to Mi, cold. On the 'jnth found (> of the number nibbling ; on the 22 d ami 2'M\ but 2, 
and on the 25th but 1. Could see do damage done by them and no sign of them upon 
cont iguous stalks. Examined the field of cotton referred to as having been visited 
00 the L4th ; there found on cotton adjoining corn eggs of Heliothis. both on leav es 
and outer calyx, and young worms. Will commence ope rat ions 1 here in a day or t wo. 
As there were no peas there the moth, as predicted, on emerging at the base of the 
corn stalk, sought the cotton. A search for them elsewhere in cotton has proved fruit- 
less. 
'27th, marked off plat 16 yards square and applied infusion, cold, 1 to 24. by spraying 
with force pump ( Kumsey & Co., patent Me, Seneca Falls, N. Y.). I so direct the noz- 
zle as tn apply it chietly to the under surface of t he leaves through a tine spraying 
nozzle. This piece of cotton was selected, as I there found a number of young Boll 
Worms, eggs, and also Aletia; October 2. sprayed a plat of cotton 10 yards square, 
upon which I found a few Boll Worms and Aletia; the cotton was adjoining corn. 
Aletia larva\ half grown, showed the effects of the poison almost immediately, and 
after writhing for a short time fell to the ground. Half grown Boll Worms seemed 
less sensible to the effects, but left the boll and ceased to eat. This infusion was 1 to 
WO, cold, ami applied fresh. 
October 3, rioted the field where I had previously used solution and dusted cotton 
with flour preparation and found no sign of worm either where I had placed tho 
worms or upon adjoining stalks. As pyrethrum kills by contact, the infusion is 
greatly to be preferred, as, by means of a spraying pump, it can bo made to reach every 
partof the plant. 1 would suggest the use of tanks, rather flat than otherwise, so 
that the pump when on a wagon would be but little above the top of the cotton, and 
should be directed rat her against the cotton than over it. The spray striking the 
plant laterally reaches the under surface of the leaves more readily. 
Looked diligently for Heliothis in cotton remote from corn, but'could find none. 
October 4, visited a field where I found a few Aletia and here and there a Boll Worm. 
Applied to cotton the flour preparation, 1 to 10, which has been kept in a close box 
for several weeks, and fiud it as efficient as when first prepared. Aletia gave evidence 
of its effects at once, and ceased to eat, and after a few contortions spun a web and 
dropped to the ground. The Boll Worm is more quiet under its influence, a difference 
perhaps in constitution, but soon becomes torpid aud ceases to eat. 
A close examination of a field of cotton which has both bottom and upland and is 
in vigorous growth, though of a russet aspect, partly from rust and partly from season, 
and which is an average specimen, shows less injury from both Heliothis and Aletia 
than for mauy years past, yet in many crops there is a loss of middle crop due mainly 
to shedding. 
October 7, sprayed a plot 20 feet square with an infusion, 1 to 24, cold. This had 
upon it a large number of well-grown Aletia larvae, but some of all ages. This plat 
