41S THE RURAL WEW-YORKIR JUNE 25 
corn from the field as any one could desire. 
It is expensive to manufacture, as gathering 
three or four times, husking and silking, par¬ 
boiling and cutting from the cob, make con¬ 
siderable labor before it enters the evaporator, 
and then the trouble just begins. It requires 
very close watching. There must be heat 
enough to prevent it from souring, and yet a 
little too much will discolor it, making it a 
little dark—though it does not change the 
quality as it will whiten again when prepared 
for the table. The sale is confined to cities and 
towns. Farmers dry corn in the ordinary 
way for their own use aud even some in towns 
who have lots and gardens will dry enough 
for their own purposes. From my experience 
and observation I should say it eau never be 
much of an industry for farmers. It takes too 
little to supply the demand. I retail all 1 
manufacture in several neighboring towns. I 
sell it at 20 cents per pouud and can’t make it 
for less. Last season 1 had several barrels 
more than I could retail. I shipped it to Bal¬ 
timore to my commission man and got 10 
cents per pound, less expenses. 1 use the 
American Evaporator. I grow Stowell’s 
Evergreeu and Early Mammoth. The former 
is perhaps the best, all things considered. 
Ten pounds of green coni will average throe 
and a quarter pounds of first-class (Mod. If 
the coni is allowed to get older, teu pounds 
will make four to four aud a half pounds 
of second class. 
Carroll Co., Md. 
AIR-SLAKED LIMB WITH PARIS-GREEN. 
Soon after my early potatoes came up they 
were literally covered with the bugs. Having 
no plaster, but some air-slaked lime I tried 
that, and much prefer it to plaster. It is 
lighter to handle aud adheres much better to 
the plants, aud requires a much smaller quan¬ 
tity. When I applied it the bugs were laying 
their eggs and it appeared to kill the old bugs 
and destroy the eggs. It also appeared to 
benefit the plants as they turned a darker 
green withiu three or four days. I had four 
rows of potatoes 34 rods loug. I made the 
first application about three weeks ago aud 
yesterday, seeing u very few young bugs, I 
went over them again. For both applications 
I used a peek of the lime with less than 
a tablespoonful of Paris-green thoroughly 
mixed. The potatoes are now blossoming. 
Herndon, Va, j, d. s. 
SOLUBLE PHOSPHATES. 
An opinion that insoluble phosphates when 
iu a very fine state of division are as readily 
available to the plant as the soluble forms 
has gained considerable ground in recent 
years. This may be true iu some instances, 
but is not yet clearly proved by experiment. 
From a chemical point of view, and from the 
results gained from the use of both, I am led 
to believe that where immediate returns are 
desired the more soluble forms of phosphoric 
acid will prove the cheaper iu the loug run. 
New Brunswick, N. J. E. b. v. 
PASTURING PREFERRED TO SOILING. 
We soil our cattle as little as possible, pre¬ 
ferring, when we can, to give them pasturage, 
but our pasturage is limited. We give rye, 
clover, oats, and corn for soiling. Our cattle 
are now on pasture, and we trust a lute rain 
will help our grass so as to allow us to keep 
them out. Our idea is that while soiling is 
cheaper, the animals need all the fresh air aud 
exercise they can get, and which they can ob¬ 
tain in no better way than by grazing. 
SMITHS, POWELL & LAMB. 
Syracuse, N. Y. 
TWO NEW INSECT PES1S. 
PROFESSOR 0. V. RILEY. 
A NEW APPLE PEST. 
The Apple-leaf Flea-beetle (Haltlea punctlpennls. 
Le Conte.) 
As long ago as 1372 I found the larva of a 
little Flea-beetle, known as Hal lira puncti- 
pennis iu Missouri, feeding upon hawthorn. 
In 1877 I found it again in Colorado, but the 
species has never been considered injurious 
until the present year. This spring, howev¬ 
er, it has appeared iu great numbers iu the 
vicinity of Galveston and Gainesville, Texas. 
Mr. J. R. Johnson, of Dallas, writes that the 
j>ests appeared iu great numbers about the 
first week in May, and that within two or 
three days thereafter they had destroyed bis 
entire lot of apple aud jtear grafts. They 
then removed to his one aud two-year-old ap¬ 
ple trees. Mr. Johnson had never been trou¬ 
bled with them before, although he remembers 
to have seen them in limited numbers in 1883 
upon his young apples. The habits and gen¬ 
eral appearance of this new apple pest are 
quite similar to those of the Grape-vine Flea- 
beetle (H. cbalybeai. The larva is rather slen¬ 
der, dark yellow-brown iu color, with darker 
head andprothoraeie shield, and each segment 
bears four transverse dorsal warts The legs 
arc black aud project out at the sides of the 
thorax. The adult beetle is shining green 
rather than steel blue, and is distinguished 
from the Grape-vine Flea-beetle by its smaller 
size and by the numerous minute impressed 
dots on its thorax aud wing covers. This in¬ 
sect, although exciting considerable alarm, 
will easily be subdued by arsenical poisons, 
the use of which is well understood iu Texas. 
Mr, Johnson has already applied Paris-green 
in its dry form with good results. 
A NEW DESTRUCTIVE CRICKET IN LOUISIANA. 
A rather remarkable insect pest has come to 
light the present season in Catahoula Parish, 
La. It is a true cricket of the genus Gryllus, 
but the specimens so far received have been 
too badly damaged for specific determination. 
Mr. Michael Dempsey of Jena, writing under 
date of May 7, says: “. . . They infest 
portions of the hills aud swamp lands alike, 
doing irreparable damage to cotton, sweet 
and common potatoes, peas aud tobacco. 
. . . Our farmers are seriously alarmed at 
their fearful increase and their destructive 
habits. Their holes iu the ground are promis¬ 
cuously scattered from a few inches to several 
feet apart, and are seldom over a foot deep in 
the uplands although they go much deeper in 
the swamp lauds as the soil is deeper and the 
subsoil softer. They are seldom visible in the 
heat of the day aud do their cutting at night, 
takiug all they want down into the ground 
where they eat as they please. . . . In 1852 
I first noticed them eating young cotton only, 
and a few years back they began to eat sweet 
potatoes; now they eat peas and tobacco aud 
have attacked our gardens. Our parish is 
composed of small farmers who lack means. 
. . . We find that rapid cultivation, 
large gangs of poultry and numerous birds 
keep them in cheek, but they are becoming too 
numerous iu spite of all we can do.” 
Beyond doubt, iu a case like this the best 
remedy will be fouud in the use of a poisoned 
bait, and I have no doubt but that the bran, 
sugar, aud arsenic mash which proved so 
effective against the Devastating Locust iu 
California iu 1885, and which is described in 
my annual rejiort for that year (Rep. Dep. 
Agr. for 1885, p. 300), would prove attractive 
to the crickets, aud would accomplish the 
destruction of large numbers. This prepara¬ 
tion is usually prepared iu wash-tubs or half- 
barrels. One of these is filled about three- 
fourths full of dry beau, hu<1 to this are added 
about five pouudaof arsenic, which is thorough¬ 
ly stirred through the bran with a spade or 
shovel. Five pounds of sugar are next thrown- 
into a pail, which is then filled with water, 
and the sugar stirred until it is dissolved, 
when this sugar-water is added to the bran 
aud arsenic, aud the three well stirred; more 
water is added, and the stirring continued un¬ 
til every portion of the mash becomes thorough¬ 
ly saturated. This should be placed about the 
infested fields in tablespoonfuls. Freshly-cut 
grass or other green vegetation sprinkled with 
Paris-green or London-purple, and scattered 
at intervals throughout the fields, will also 
produce good results, aud bo less expensive. 
TOADS VS. POTATO BUGS. 
I am not surprised that toads are reported 
as feediug upon the Colorado potato beetle. 
It has long been known that insects form their 
principal food. The Canadian Entomologist 
for Dec. 18fi9, quotes good-sized toads in good 
condition at one shilling (25 cents) apiece, or 
one pound sterling per dozen. Toads were 
dealt, iu quite extensively between France .and 
England, and were kept in gardens, where 
they proved very beneficial in keeping off in¬ 
jurious insects. Toads always lix upon some 
spot as a home or hiding place und will never 
wander far from it. They may be located in 
any desired, shady place by penulng them in 
for a few days; then they may be left perfect¬ 
ly free aud will always be fouud in the accus¬ 
tomed spot when not iu search of food. 
Lansing, Mich. c. p. Gillette. 
To Prevent Cut-Worms from Destroy¬ 
ing Cabbage Plants, Sweet Potatoes, 
Sups, etc., I cut old catalogues into slips 
about three inches square, punch a hole 
through each uonr one corner, string them 
on a wire; fasten the ends of the wire togeth¬ 
er; hang them over the right shoulder with 
the papers at the left side uear the hip; take a 
plant iu the right hand and a pajier in the 
loft, and commencing at the corner, wrap the 
latter around the former, cornucopia fashion; 
then pass it. to another hand who with u dib¬ 
ble or planting peg in the right hand makes a 
hole in the ground, and with the left places 
the plant in the hole so that the lower end of 
the paper is a little below the surface. The 
earth is then placed against the plant with 
the peg to keep the paper in place. With a 
little experience two hands can set out plants 
quite rapidly, and the paper is a sure preven¬ 
tive of the ravages of insect pests. h. c. 
MALARIA. 
R. P. GREKNLKAF, m.d. 
Malaria, as a rule, arises from decaying 
vegetable matter: fertile sources are expos¬ 
ing to the sun ground primarily covered with 
water containing vegetable matter, improper 
drainage, drinking impure water, such as 
flows from swamps, stagnant water in ponds, 
canals, old quarries, etc., etc,, liviug iu houses 
near such places inhaling day aud night the 
poisonous exhalations. 
All this may be prevented by removing to 
houses on high, well drained grounds, sleeping 
at night in the upper stories, avoiding expos¬ 
ure to night air, good drainage, pure drinking 
water—not contaminated with surface water, 
or water from water closets or barnyards, or 
slops from the house. 
Iu the treatment it is always best to com¬ 
mence with an active cathartic—say from two 
to four compound cathartic pills at bed time. 
In the morning commence with pills of bi-sul¬ 
phate of quinta (two grains), one every two 
hours until Hi are taken. Tf this does not 
prevent a return of the chill, repeac the quinia 
as before. 
Quinquinia has given me the greatest satis¬ 
faction in not affecting either stomach or 
head, in the same doses as the quinia, and it 
should be continued three or four times a day 
during the season. Wheu there is tbo least 
variation from an ordinary attack of chills 
aud fever, a physician should be called iu at 
once. But the above iu 10 out of 20 casus w ill 
be all that is required in ordinary cases. Of 
course, the above is a dose for adults. 
Piuuni?. 
GRAFTING. 
Some time ago the Rural told of au easy 
way to graft, by j mtting the cions under the 
bark after sawing off the stock, not splitting 
the latter at all. The past spring 1 tried it, 
and it answered tbo purpose just as well, and 
saved much time aud labor. While 1 was 
grafting 1 thought it might do to try some 
cions put in the same as in budding; that is, 
cut a T, sharpen the cion on one side only, 
raise up the bark and push the cion down 
firmly. Home of them have grown very nice¬ 
ly und probably u 11 would have done so but 
for two reasons: they were put in late—May 
4th—and my grafting “wax” was cow dung 
aud clay. The weather being very warm and 
dry, evaporated the moisture so rapidly from 
the “wax” that it worked up and exposed the 
cut to the dry air. A year ago I used this 
mixture for grafting and was very success¬ 
ful, not losing more than one per/cent.. Iu 
both cases they were apple trees. a. l. c. 
Catonsville, Md. 
THE EVERGREEN CONTROVERSY. 
In regard to the evergreen controversy, the 
Norway Spruce is very unsatisfactory aud 
uncertain west of the Missouri River. The 
winter drought often destroys It entirely. 
Last winter I lost thousands of tree-; so did 
other extensive planters. The Doug.a., Fun- 
gens Spruce—Picea pungens—and the Con- 
color prove themselves heroic pioneers for the 
plains. I have brought the Pungens from an 
altitude of 0,000 feet, and planted them in the 
full blaze of the Nebraska suns without in¬ 
jury. 1 have spent Beveral years iu careful 
experiments with Rocky Mountain ever¬ 
greens, aud fully agree with all the praise 
Douglas, of Waukegau, gives them. They 
are children of the storms and bail, aud West¬ 
ern siroccos affect them but little. 
Franklin Co., Nob. c. s. harrison. 
- - 
About Nitrate of Soda for Strawber¬ 
ries. —I should say use it with extreme care. 
It is caustic in its effects if used iu over-doses, 
carbouiziug the rootlets and doing harm 
rather than good, i think sulphate of ammo¬ 
nia safer; but,better still,grain-fed liorse imm¬ 
ure previously applied, heu manure, or some 
good specially prepared complete strawberry 
manure, us Mujk's’b, Baker’s, etc. Nothing 
equals a previously well-enriched soil in per¬ 
fect tilth for strawberries. i\ m. augur. 
The Fern-Leaved Celery sent out by u 
few seedsmen last spring is pretty, but worth¬ 
less. The stems are extremely slender and 
usually hollow. Only the central shoot is 
available for use. G. G. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
[Every query must lie accompanied By the name 
and address of the writer to Insure attention. Before 
asking a question, please see If II is not answered in 
our lulvertlslnir columns. Ask only a few questions at 
one time. But questions on aseparate piece of paper.] 
AN IMPOTENT JACK. 
F. O. C ., Wash hu'ft on, Kan .—Is there any 
way to make a Jack serve a mare? I used a 
she ass at first, but he will not get ready now. 
I find that he is infested with lice, and as lie 
has a very heavy coat of hair l don’t know 
how to get rul of them. Would a cotton 
string saturated with kerosene and lard tied 
tightly around his neck do any good ? He w T as 
sick last summer, but Is apparently feeling 
pretty well now; but he had a bed sore that 
seemed to have proud flesh iu it. 1 burnt it 
out with nitric acid, but it has never healed. 
answered by dr. f. l. kilborne. 
The Jack is evidently lacking in vigor, 
which may be due to waut of proper care and 
aud food or excessive use. Perhaps he has 
never entirely recovered from his long illness 
of last season. The only way to prepare him 
for service is to bring him into good vigorous 
condition by good feeding and care. Thor¬ 
ough grooming and moderate daily exercise 
will do much towards bringing him into such 
condition. You cauuot expect a neglected, 
lousy animal to be iu condition to breed. The 
fact that he is lousy shows want of proper 
care. A thorough application of kerosene 
emulsion or water saturated with kerosene 
will bo effective for the lice; but the cotton 
string would have very little effect. In using 
a strong liquid caustic, like nitric acid, for 
burning out the bed-sore, you probably burned 
too deep und destroyed too much skin. You 
should have used some solid or less penetrat¬ 
ing caustic. Try eating out all dead and dis¬ 
eased tissue with copjwr sulphate and dress 
daily with a weak solution of the copper sul¬ 
phate—one dram in a quart of water—unt il a 
healthy sore is produced. Then dress with 
carbolated vaseliue until healed. 
wire-worms. 
./. L. .If., Nat. Soldier's Home, Milwaukee , 
BTs.—On marsh sod land that was under- 
drained and plowed last fall and thoroughly 
harrowed aud manured partly with barn¬ 
yard manure and partly with bone dust this 
spriug, 1 find a small, wiry, yellow worm, 
which is eating off my celery just below the 
surface of the ground, and is working at the 
roots of my cabbages, destroying the greater 
part. Is there any way to get rid of the pest? 
Will salt applied to the earth around the 
celery injure the pluuts, aud will it keep the 
worms off? 
Ans. —This post is the wire-worm, and the 
wire-worms are very difficult posts to get rid 
of. It is u general verdict of the farmers In 
Southern Michigan that those worms do but 
little harm the first year upon ground plowed 
in the spring. The principal damage is done 
tho second year. So Professor Cook’s advice 
to the farmers of Michigan is to plow in spring 
and put iu any crop desired tho first year. 
The second year put in pens nr buckwheat or 
some other crop that the worms will not harm. 
After this the ground may be used for any 
crop until it has been into grass again. Thor¬ 
ough and frequent tillage to starve the worms 
out and expose them to insectivorous birds is 
probably the most practical remedy. These 
worms are more difficult to get rid of than are 
the eut-worrem, for they require three years 
to complete their growth, while the latter re¬ 
quire but one. The salt used in moderation 
will do no harm to the celery or to the wire- 
worms either. It will help to keep down the 
weeds. 
ABOUT CUT-WORM LIFE. 
R. L ., Provincetoum, Mass .—When do cut¬ 
worms deposit their eggs, aud where ? How 
long after they have beeu deposited do tho eggs 
become worms i 
Ans. —It nmy be said in a general way that 
the cut worm moths lay their eggs late iu sum¬ 
mer about the roots ot herbaceous plants ou 
which the worms are to feed. The eggs soon 
hatch and the little worms feed upon roots 
until cold weather comes on, and then go six 
or eight inches beneath the surface of the 
earth uud lie dormant during the winter. 
Wheu tho warm spriug weather comes on, 
they continue feeding as in the fall until they 
are nearly full grown, which is about the first 
of June. It is then that, they begin their per¬ 
nicious habit of coming to the surface to cut 
down tho plants on which they feed. Wheu 
full-grown the worms again descend into tho 
