ol() AISTNUAL RHTORTS OV DKPARTMKXT OF AGRICULTURE, 



periment Station. The life histories of the principal insect enemies 

 of the grape are being investigated and remedial work is under way. 



The development of a satisfactory means of control of the grape 

 mealybug in California blill engages the attention of an agent at 

 Fresno. Further work with sulphur fumes as a treatment for this 

 insect during the dormant period of the vines indicates that this is 

 not a ])raetical plan, and other methods are under investigation. 



The white-lined sj)hinx moth occurred this year in several sections 

 of Tulare and Kern Counties, Calif., in young vineyards. From all 

 indications the caterpillars had been feeding in near-by grain and 

 grass lands, and as soon as these w^ere harvested or dried up they 

 migrated to the young green vines. Several sprays were tried with 

 but little success, as the insects were nearly full grown when dis- 

 covered, though it was found that the insects could be collected 

 readily by hand, one man being able to cover as much as 12 acres 

 per day. The Achemon sphinx moth was also in evidence in Merced 

 Count3% injury beginning about the 1st of June. About 1,200 acres 

 were involved, and in vieAV of the expense of spraying, the vines were 

 dusted early in the mornings with a dust composed of 3 parts of sul- 

 phur to 1 part of arsenate of lead. This proved to be very effective, 

 most of the insects dying within 24 hours. 



Ckaxberry insects. — The investigations of cranberry insects in 

 Washington State in cooperation with the Washington Agricultural 

 Experiment Station were concluded at the end of the growing season 

 of 1919 and a report has been prepared. Very satisfactory results 

 were secured in the treatment of the blackhead fireworm by three 

 applications at intervals of 17 to 21 daj s between May 1 and July 17 

 of nicotine sulphate containing 40 per cent nicotine used at the rate 

 of 1 part to 800 parts of spray, with the addition of fish-oil soap at 

 the rate of 2 pounds to each 50 gallons of the liquid. Growers gen- 

 erally have adopted the treatment indicated and are securing satis- 

 factory results in the control of this, their principal insect pest. 



Nut insect investigations. — Pecan insects. — Further experiments 

 in orchards have shown that the pecan-leaf case-bearer is best con- 

 trolled by a spray of arsenate of lead, as compared with an appli- 

 cation of this arsenical in dust form; in fact, none of the various 

 dusts were very satisfactory. It also develops that in the use of 

 calcium arsenate in dust or liquid form considerable burning of 

 foliage and of nuts resulted. It was found that the so-called obscure 

 scale, frequently complained of on pecan, can be controlled by spra}'- 

 ing with either crude-oil emulsion or lime-sulphur solution in winter 

 strength applied during earl}^ spring before the trees bud out. 

 Spraying and dusting experiments in the control of the pecan weevil 

 were unsuccessful. On the other hand, fumigation of harvested 

 nuts with carbon disulphid at the rate of one-half ounce of the 

 fumigant per bushel of nuts, with an exposure of 24 hours, proved 

 effective. This method is only partiall}^ successful, however, since 

 a considerable portion of the larvae in some regions leave the pecans 

 before harvest time. A report on the pecan nut case-bearer, embody- 

 ing information on its life history and control measures in the South- 

 east, has been completed. A publication on the pecan bud-moth is 

 in preparation. 



