June 2, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W, 505 



Mr. Chiltuii, l>elni Te Markets, Sydney, who used eatbou bisulphide as 

 lecommended with success, also found cold storage effective, Cowpea seed 

 was kept in cold storagn (35° F.) from August till December, 1907, and, 

 though infect' d, the wt-evil vvas found not to bave developed. The seed 

 planted in December yielded a g ou crop, and seemed, evidently, not affected 

 by the coM. This metbod des'roysthe grubs and beetles, and, if it doev not 

 destroy the eggs, prevents their development, and the method of cold storage 

 can be rec ■mmended to save a large percentage of grain otherwise lost owing 

 to these beetles. 



Aphis causing Scab on Sheep, Cattle, and Horses. 



FroiTi time to time reports have been received by the Entomological Branch 

 of aphis said to attack white-skinned sheep, horses, and cattle. No specimens 

 actually from the affected animals have been received, though it is thought 

 the clover aphis is the cause, as this is always pre^-ent on the trefoil or 

 swarming in the air at the time the damage commences. White-skinned 

 animals or the white-skinned patches on dark-skinned animals are alone 

 reportbd to be aiTected, and sheep just off shears are particularly subject to 

 attack. For this reason white patches are often discoloured by paint, kc, 

 as protection. 



Through the kindness of Messrs. Wm. Cooper and Nephews, Sydney, Mr. 

 R. C Timsoii, of that tinn, pmcnrtd for me some clover aphis and a damaged 

 sht'epskin. Fiiiure 3 shows a pho'ograph, about natural size, of a smdl 

 portion of this affected skm. The wo il is permanently destroyeil, and a rough 

 yellowish scab, consisting of thick irretiular scales, is formed, suggestive of 

 the work of a srab mite. Large irregidar patches of this scab, from several 

 inch s up to 2 feet or more in length are often formed on the bodies of 

 the sheej). 



Mr. Timsoii reports : " Clouds of these clover a])his will be noticed in 

 spring, the touch of which are irritating and a nuisance %vhile travelling. The 

 first attack on the animal i-; not noticeable, but in a few days irritation of the 

 skin sets up, accompanied by exudation of a sort of mucius . . . and 

 after all trace of insect life has been remo\ed the sore remains active for 

 months at a time . . . and the wool never grows again — at any rate, in 

 a h( althy condition. The troubln is looked upon as serious where it exists." 



The exceptional habit of a vegetable-sucking insect attacking animals is 

 curiou-i, and, shn\dd the pest appear next season, a study will be made of 

 how, it' it does, it causes the irritation. A tobacco and soap w^a-h, and various 

 dips, wduld readily destroy aphis on the animals, though they may not prevent 

 reinfection from the aphis, except, perhaps, where, as considered by some, tlie 

 discolouration due to the dip protects them from further att-icks. We would, 

 thereibre, be glad to receive word in the event of the pest reappearing, that 

 nvestigation as to the cause and an effective remedy may be made. 



