WILLOW BEETLE. 
141 
that Paris-green gave some good results, and I should certainly think 
that, with the great increase in knowledge that we have since then of 
how to apply this chemical, of the proportions in which it is to be 
used for delicate leafage, how to mix it with flour, and, further, the 
feasibility of obtaining conveniently portable knapsack sprayers with 
nozzles which will distribute the fluid properly in the form of fine 
spray, this remedy would he very likely indeed to be of service. 
Looking at notes of success and also of difficulties to be met in 
1884, I find that Mr. G. H. Leigh, a Willow grower at Lymm, 
mentioned that, having tried the application of soot and also of helle¬ 
bore without any success, he then tried Paris-green, with about 
half an ounce to three to four gallons of water. The Willows by this 
time were grown three feet high; therefore he could not apply a good 
spray; but the application to the plants on the compass of ground 
sprayed with Paris-green was successful. It scorched the leaves a little t 
and made them curl, which he believed was the cause of the beetle 
removing itself; but “it did not injure the main shoot.” Also, it is 
noted, “I cannot say it killed the beetle right out, as it immediately 
dropped to the ground, being always on the alert when anything 
touched the leaves.” 
Mr. Leigh added :—“ I am also of opinion that Paris-green, if used 
early, would prevent, if not completely destroy, them; and if it was 
more used with a good spray it would destroy it in the early stage.” 
At the conclusion of the reports of the summer the Paris-green had 
been most satisfactory of all the dressings which had been tried, and 
Mr. Cameron remarked:—“Indeed, I believe by applying this dressing 
early enough the beetle might be kept fairly well under, the difficulty 
at this season of the year being to get the wash distributed; the 
Willows grow so thickly on the ground, and so high, that any spray 
distributed cannot be used.” 
The different points were given in detail in my Report on Injurious 
Insects of 1884, published in 1885; but if the reader will just look 
over the notes given above, in the light thrown by the experiments of 
our Evesham Fruit Conference Committee during 1890, it will be seen 
that the difficulties we met with in 1884 can be coped with now. 
The proportion mentioned above is J oz. of Paris-green to three or 
four gallons of water. This is stronger than what we advise. 1 oz. 
of Paris-green to ten gallons of water for Plum leafage, and 1 oz. to 
twenty gallons of water for Apple leafage, is the strongest proportion 
that we recommend. 
With regard to Jailing the beetle. — The application does not kill by 
contact, but by poisoning the food. Therefore the application should 
on no account whatever be sent vigorously, like a rain-storm (as I have 
reason to believe has sometimes been done), at the infested plants, for 
