REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 275 



that although the bird was " an unmitigated nuisance " (among other 

 reasons for the protection it gave to the Orgyia caterpillars), a 

 bounty was inexpedient : its reduction could be better reached by 

 other means indicated. Its extermination or great reduction through 

 a bounty was impracticable, as shown where bounties had been i)aid. 

 A bounty would be detrimental to the agriculturist in driving the 

 sparrows from cities into the country, and giving it more general distri- 

 bution. Many insectivorous song s[)arrows would be mistaken for it 

 and killed. Careless shooting by boys would endanger lives. 



Vermicides [Insecticides for Vermin.]. (Country Gentleman, for April 4, 

 1895, Ix, p. 266, c. 4 — 8 cm.) 



An inquiry for a carbolic acid soKition that will kill vermin on cattle, 

 sheep, and lambs, is answered by recommending Buchan's Carbolic 

 soap and Little's Chemical Fluid. Directions as to preparation and 

 method of use are given on the packages. 



The English Sparrow. (Country Gentleman, for April 11, 1895, Ix, p. 

 285, cols. 2, 3 — 19 cm.) 



Substantially the same as in the Albany Evening Journal of March 

 21, 1895, of which an abstract is given above. 



Some Destructive Shade-Tree Pests. (State of New York — Department 

 of Public Instruction, Arbor Day Manual, May 3, 1895, Albany, 

 April 6, 1895, pp. 13-17, figs. 6.) 



Importance of protecting shade-trees from insect depredations. 

 The elm is particulary subject to insect attack. Notice and figures of 

 the elm-leaf beetle, Galerucella xanthomelcena \liiteola\, and how to 

 destroy it; the Orgyia tussock caterpillar — its beauty, abundance, and 

 control by destruction of eggs ; the ravages of the leopard-moth, Zeuzera 

 pyrina; operations of scale insects, illustrated by maple-tree scale, 

 Pulvinaria innumerabilis ; increase of insect pests and number of species 

 infesting different trees, and the importance of the study by young 

 people for their control. 



A Bad Scale on Currant Bushes. (Gardening, for May 15, 1895, iii 

 p. 263, c. 2 — 9 cm.) 



Currant bushes in St. Louis are " completely covered with scales," 

 which from examples sent, are identified as Aspidiotus ancylus Putnam 

 — a scale that closely resembles the San Jose scale, Aspidiotus pcr- 

 niciosus, recently introduced into the Atlantic States. 



If badly infested, they should be cut down and burned. If but 

 moderately infested, spraying with kerosene emulsion early in June 

 will kill the young. All the insects can be killed by a wash in winter 

 with two pounds of whale-oil soap in one gallon of water. 



The Currant Aphis. (Gardening, for May 15, 1895, iii, p. 263, c. 

 3 — 12 cm.) 



The plant-louse reported from Oshkosh, Wis., as curling and blister- 

 ing the leaves of the red currant, is the currant aphis, Myziis ribis 



