24 
paled on the beak of a soldier-bug, and others which appeared to have 
had their life extracted by the same foe. Altogether the worms and 
Aphides have had a hard time. Only a small proportion of Pieris rapce 
could have pupated in a healthy condition. 
Concerning the cold-water remedy, to which you desired me to give 
particular attention, my tests, while not crucial, for the reasons stated, 
satisfy me that it has no direct effect on the worms. I applied the water 
ice-cold (at one time with temperature of air above 80° F.), so as to 
thoroughly soak many of the worms which I could see, and in one in- 
stance I placed lumps of ice on a couple of cabbages so as to come in con 
tact with worms, and so that the water running from these lumps would 
give them a cold bath for some time, but could not discover any worms 
dead from its effect. However, the worms on the plants treated with 
the ice water died off very rapidly with the micrococcus disease, and I 
think it possible that the treatment made them fall an easier prey to 
this epidemic. 
Respectfully, 
HERBERT OSBORN. 
Prof. 0. Y. Riley, 
U. S. Entomologist. 
TESTS OF REMEDIES. 
Kerosene and Molasses Emulsion. — Made by shaking together violently 
equal parts of kerosene, molasses, and water. Emulsion thus formed 
would remain for some minutes, but gradually separate. This emulsion? 
applied September 10, 1885, killed cabbage worms of all kinds, Aphides, 
and other insects, provided it came in contact with them,* but owing to 
their secreting themselves so fully within the leaves, many escaped. 
Even when applied so thoroughly as to kill the leaves of the plant, 
numbers of the worms would escape, and were seen afterwards as 
healthy as ever upon the plants treated with the emulsion. Not more 
than half the insects were killed by this treatment. 
Cost of this application, one-fifth of a cent per cabbage, not counting 
time of making or applying. 
C old-ic at er Application. — September 19, applied cold water from a well* 
direct to cabbage worms, at about 11 a. in.; day warm (77° F., at noon). 
Examinations later in the day showed no result. On the 21st, on plants 
thus treated were a number of dead larvae, also many alive and healthy. 
Those dead had the appearance of worms dying from the micrococcus 
disease introduced from Illinois two years ago, and microscopic exam- 
ination of the body contents showed them to be swarming with micro- 
cocci apparently the same as those in the disease of two years ago. 
Later many of these dead larvae were found on plants not treated, so it 
* Temperature of water in well here is about 40° F. 
