I. AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMY. 331 



of native eggs in Europe so uncertain. It seems, however, 

 that, owing to the interruption of the silk -worm industry 

 caused by the war, there is little demand for these eggs, and 

 that dealers have a large stock on hand, for which, at -pres- 

 ent, they find no market. There is said to be a similar sur- 

 plus in Japan, for the same reason. The California papers 

 are therefore urging upon the citizens of the state to under- 

 take the rearing of the worms themselves, and the produc- 

 tion of silk. Scientific Press, California, 3Iarch 25, 188. 



DESTROYING ANTS. 



A French agriculturist reports that, after trying every 

 method known to him for the destruction of ants infesting 

 some of his fruit-trees, he succeeded in effecting his purpose 

 in the most complete manner by placing a mixture of arsenic 

 and sweetened water in a saucer at the foot of the trees. 

 For the larger species he made use of honey instead of sugar, 

 and he found that in a few days' time he could exterminate 

 them completely. 8 C, Sept. 22, 1870, 304. 



DESTROYING THE LARVAE OF THE COCK-CHAFER. 



It is said that the destructive larvae of the cock-chafer, 

 which, both in this country and in Europe, does so much dam- 

 age to pastures by devouring the roots of grass and causing 

 the death of the sod, may be exterminated by applying to the 

 places affected water in which petroleum has been stirred. 

 The same treatment is also recommended in other instances 

 where it is desirable to keep down the ravages of insects on 

 plants. Applied in this way there is no danger of injuring 

 the plant, and a small quantity of petroleum appears to im- 

 part its antagonistic qualities to a considerable amount of 

 water. 9 (7, June, 1870, 45. 



DESTRUCTION OF GRAIN BY INSECTS. 



Some idea of the injury caused by insects to agricultural 

 products may be formed from the statement that, from 74 

 tons of Spanish wheat stored in a granary, 10 cwt. of beetles 

 were screened out in one instance, and in another 35 cwt. 

 were removed from 145 tons of American corn. The offender 

 in both cases was a weevil known as Colandra oryzce. 15 A, 

 April 9, 1870,488. 



