318 __- [AsseMBLy 
worms. We state on the authority of Prof. C. V. Riley that if the 
powder is mixed with the flour or lime a few hours before it is ap- 
plied to the plants, it proves more effective than if the mixture is 
put on immediately after combination. The best time to apply the 
mixture is on a still day, and if put on in the evening, when the 
plants are slightly moistened by the dew, the effect is still better. 
By inserting the nozzle of the bellows among the leaves, and giving a 
puff with the handle, the powder rises in a slight cloud, and then set- 
tles among the leaves, penetrating the interstices more thoroughly than 
a liquid can do. Owing to the glaucous nature of the leaves, liquids 
do not spread evenly over them, but the greater part immediately runs 
off, thus wasting a large part of the poison used. We would not be 
understood that a single application of the powder will prove en- 
tirely effective. The caterpillars have so many opportunities to con- 
ceal themselves among the leaves that we cannot hope to reach all at 
once. New ones are also constantly hatching. The application should 
be made as often as once a week, and if the plants become badly 
infested with the caterpillars, it should be used almost daily until the 
greater part of them is destroyed. 
The * Buhach,” to which we have alluded, is the product of Pyre- 
thrum cinerariefolium, and is prepared near Stockton, Cal. It is 
claimed to be superior in strength and purity to the imported Pyre- 
thrum powder, which is the product of P. roseum. We made no 
comparative tests of the two preparations. 
Tue SauasH ViInE Borer. 
This insect was less destructive than usual the past season. We 
planned a series of experiments in anticipation of its attack, and at 
the time it was due, applications were already upon the plants. Had 
the insect appeared in greater numbers, we should have had a better 
opportunity to judge of our success, but on the whole our results 
were quite satisfactory. 
We chose for our experiments a plat of squashes one-tenth of an 
acre in extent, of the Hubbard and Perfect Gem varieties. There 
were four rows of each variety in each of which were planted eight 
hills. Commencing July 12 we applied to one row of the Hubbard 
variety one-fourth of a pound of sulphate of iron, in solution, npon 
the soil immediately about the plants. (A similar experiment in 
1883 seemed to promise favorable results.) 
To a second row we applied Paris green, mixed with water a 
the rate of half a tea-spoonful to two gallons, carefully pouring the 
mixture over all of the stems for a distance of two feet from the 
base of the plants. E 
In a third row we placed corn cobs dipped in coal tar, putting five 
in each hill. 
The fourth row of the Hubbard we left without an application, 
for comparison with the others. : : 
To one row of the Perfect Gem we applied the kerosene emul- 
