nozzle, the history of Phylloxera vastatrix, of Phorodon humuli, of Vedalia cardinalis, are illustrations in point, and while we may not expect frequent results as striking or of as wide application as these, there is no end of important problems yet to be solved and from the solution of which we may look for similar beneficial results.  Applied entomology is often considered a sordid pursuit, but it only becomes so when the object is sordid.  When pursued with unselfish enthusiasm born of the love of investigation and the delight in benefiting our fellow men, it is inspiring, and there are few pursuits more deservedly so, considering the vast losses to our farmers from insect injury and the pressing need that the distressed husbandman has for every aid that can be given him.  Our work is elevating in its sympathies for the struggles and suffering of others.  Our standard should be high—­the pursuit of knowledge for the advancement of agriculture.  No official entomologist should lower it by sordid aims.

During the recent political campaign the farmer must have been sorely puzzled to know whether his interests needed protection or not.  On the abstract question of tariff protection to his products we, as entomologists, may no more agree than do the politicians or than does the farmer himself.  But ours is a case of protection from injurious insects, and upon that there can nowhere be division of opinion.  It is our duty to see that he gets it with as little tax for the means as possible.

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POTASH SALTS.

[Footnote:  By John B. Smith, entomologist.  Potash as an insecticide is not entirely new, but has never been brought out with the prominence I think it deserves.—­N.J.  Ag.  Col.  Exp.  St., Bulletin 75.]

My attention was attracted to potash salts as an insecticide, by the casual remark of an intelligent farmer, that washing his young pear trees with a muriate of potash solution cleared them of scales.  The value of this substance for insecticide purposes, should its powers be sufficient, struck me at once, and I began investigation.  It was unluckily too late in the season for field experiments of the nature desired; but it is the uniform testimony of farmers who have used either the muriate or the kainit in the cornfields, that they have there no trouble with grubs or cut worms.  Mr. E.B.  Voorhees, the senior chemist of the station, assures me that on his father’s farm the fields were badly infested, and replanting cornhills killed by grubs or wire worms was a recognized part of the programme.  Since using the potash salts, however, they have had absolutely no trouble, and even their previously worst-infested fields show no further trace of injury.  The same testimony comes from others, and I feel safe in recommending these salts, preferably kainit, to those who are troubled with cut worms or wire worms in corn.