OF WASHINGTON. 61 



Mr. Schwarz said that I+achnosternas were rarely observed in 

 the daytime except in cities, where they cannot enter the 

 ground, and that it was difficult to estimate their life-period, 

 which however probably extends over several weeks. 



He said, also, that in Europe the damage occasioned by the 

 larvae was important, while in this country the adult was most 

 feared. He thought that good results could be obtained by 

 planting low shrubs, which would attract the beetles and from 

 which they could be collected nightly. He instanced in this 

 connection the collecting of Mr. Smith and himself in the 

 summer of 1888. 



Mr. Fernow spoke of the allied beetle of Europe, Melolontha 

 vulgaris, and said that similar methods of collecting were 

 there employed. He said that ground had been flooded for 

 five months without killing the larvae. 



Mr. Riley said that the idea put forth by Mr. Schwarz to 

 the effect that these beetles swarm preferably upon the lower 

 limbs of trees and upon small trees, and the conclusion then 

 reached that these trees can be materially protected by beating 

 the beetles must be abandoned in the light of his experience. 

 The trees affected on his place were the tallest upon it, while 

 none of the numerous smaller trees he had planted were in 

 any way affected or attacked. Thus, besides a number of 

 fruit trees, including Peach, Pear, Cherry and Apple, he had 

 also the Sugar Maple, Norway Maple, Tulip, Gum, Linden, 

 Willow, Poplar, Ash, Elm, Beech, and various shrubs and 

 conifers, all accessible to the beetles, and from which they 

 could have been easily beaten. He considered the experience 

 of Schwarz and Smith in collecting from young oaks planted 

 by the Park Commission to be exceptional, and instanced 

 other cases of the beetles attacking particular trees Poplars, 

 Oaks, etc. indicating the frequently local nature of their work. 

 He said also that Europe, in methods of controlling these 

 insects, was behind the times, mentioning in this connection 

 the available means against the larvae practiced here, but un 

 known or not practiced in Europe, such as the use of kerosene 

 emulsions and fallow ploughing. 



Mr. Howard referred to the experience of Messrs. Schwarz 



