[72] REPORT 4, UNITED STATES ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. 
5. Of ray own knowledge, they are to be seen here first in June or July, but some 
of my friends and neighbors have reported seeing them occasionally in May, in few 
numbers. 
6. They are almost always found first on the same places and same plantations, 
scattered over the country, without any apparent regard to character of soil or sur- 
rounding circumstances. This fact has been generally noticed and spoken of, but no 
solution has been made of it that is satisfactory and reasonable. Like most other 
questions among men, outside of mathematics, discussion never satisfies all parties 
nor settles the question. 
7. I have no experience at all of the winter habits of the insect, but I am satisfied 
it remains here during the winter, in some form, and does not come here regularly or 
at intervals from any distance. My reasons for thinking so are too numerous to at- 
tempt to write them to you, unless I thought I could prove the fact to a demonstra- 
tion, and thus settle the matter beyond all future question or dispute. 
8. Birds of many kinds prey upon the worms, and many insects prey on both the 
worm at all ages and stages of its growth and also feed on or destroy the eggs. No 
quadrupeds disturb either eggs or worms, to my knowledge. Ants of various sorts 
prey on them — both eggs and small worms. I have heard many insects spoken of, by 
persons who had given the matter close attention, as being enemies to the Cotton 
Worms, and preying on or destroying the eggs, young worms, and also those fully 
grown. I cannot speak on these points from personal knowledge, not being a scien- 
tist nor professional man, and having no turn of thought in that direction. I am sat- 
isfied that many animals and insects prey on and destroy the Cotton Worm's eggs, 
young and grown worms, or they would eat up the cotton every year they appear 
here. Tbey increase by nature so very rapidly after their first appearance that, dn 
less they met many and destructive enemies besides man, they would always in 
crease in numbers so great as to destroy the crop annually. In wet years these va- 
rious enemies are not present themselves in sufficient numbers to make any impression 
on the Cotton Worm, but in dry seasons they are numerous enough to nearly annihi- 
late t he Cotton Worm, and thus prevent any great damage to the cotton crop. 
9. I have no experience about destroying the Cotton Moth. Many might, no doubt, 
be destroyed by lamps, fires, &c, but the whole planting population would havo to 
engage in it systematically and persistently, or it would amount to nothing. The 
destruction of any number of moths by a few planters or neighborhoods would do no 
good. I have never heard of sugar, molasses, or anything of the sort being tried to 
lure the moths. I think all such things humbugs, and on a par with the Yankee plan 
tried in Lower Louisiana during the war, i. e., to spread tar around the cotton-fields 
to prevent the Cotton Worms from entering them. 
10. I have no experience to enable me to reply to this question. 
11. I cannot afford any information on this question. 
12. I have never seen jute nor any other plant being tried in this section for any 
such purpose. Have heard stories told of such things being tried elsewhere. 
13. Paris green, Texas Worm Destroyer, and such poisonous medicines are the only 
things which have ever been used here to destroy the worms. I have seen Paris green 
tried many times, and heard of its trial for years. There is no doubt that it will de- 
stroy the Cotton Worm and preserve the cotton plants Avhen the preparation is gen- 
uine and not a cheat and it is used properly and thoroughly. Like everything else 
done in this world, it must be done properly, thoroughly, and persistently to succeed. 
I have no personal knowledge of the Texas Worm Destroyer, but it is veryhighly 
recommended, indeed. 
14. I have never known any injury to happen to man, beast, or plant here from 
using Paris green. All know that it is a violent poison, and use it with caution. No 
doubt, man, animals, and plants can be injured by it, and perhaps all have been in- 
jured in some places by its incautious use. 
15. Paris green used in liquid form, from largo tin watering-pots made specially for 
the purpose, has been most successful here; it is the preparation generally used. 
16. I cannot state the cost of using Paris green per acre, but its cost is not great, 
and does not enter into any mau's calculation when he sets about to kill the Army 
Worm. I have seen a Held of cotton saved by two applications of it, which were made 
at intervals of a month apart. This field yielded one bale per acre, whereas without 
the destruction of the worms it would not have made half a bale per acre. These 
worm poisons are now made and sold in great quantities by responsible parties, and, 
like all other articles of general commerce, are abundant and cheap. There is no 
question but that the cotton crop can be saved in part, if not in whole, from any future 
destruction by the Cot ton Worms, in all sections where the planters are energetic, in- 
telligent, and harmonious in action by the use of poisons — Paris green, Texas Worm 
Killer, arsenic in some form, or some other poison. 1 cannot now say that any plan 
can be proposed to destroy the worm or moth before its appearance in the cotton 
fields. J in---, lamps, <fcc, would kill immense numbers of mollis, but would only re- 
tain the worms, and not destroy them. 
