EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 217 



been dug out, lead us to believe that the beetles belong to a genus, the 

 members of which are known to be engaged in this kind of work else- 

 where, viz., Lyctus* 



REMEDIES. 



Dr. A. D. Hopkins, of our National Bureau of Entomology, discusses 

 tliese insects in Circular No. 55, which may be had on application. He 

 advises, when the beetles are once established : 



1. A liberal application of pure kerosene, benzine, gasoline, formalin, 

 brine, or like substances, to the infested parts. 



2. Thorough steaming of the wood in a tight room. 



3. Subjecting the wood to the highest practicable dry heat in a dry- 

 kiln. 



"In the case of finished products, such as furniture, museum specimens, 

 and the like, which are portable, they may be subjected to the treat- 

 ment mentioned under "1," "2," and ''3," selecting the one which is 

 least injurious to the articles. In the case of painted or varnished 

 articles which would be injured by external treatment, the liquid may 

 be injected into the holes made by the insects, or in small gimlet holes 

 made for the purpose, to be afterwards filled with putty. With inside 

 hardwood finishings, such as wainscoting, staircases, floors, doorposts, 

 and the like, the injection of the liquid is perhaps the only practicable 

 method of checking the progress of the injury." 



''When infested construction timbers are badly damaged, or important 

 parts are weakened by the work of the insects, they should be removed 

 and replaced by sound heart-wood material, while all slightly damaged 

 accessible wood should be treated with an external or internal applica- 

 tion of a suitable liquid remedy." 



Dr. Hopkins also gives advice as to methods of keeping the pests out 

 of lumber yards, etc., and calls attention to the fact that it is in sap- 

 wood only that the beetles work. The lesson is obvious — if buildings are 

 constructed free from sap-wood, there is no danger from powder-post. 



STRAWBERRY CROWN-GIRDLER. 



{Otiorhynchus ovatiis.) 



A smaU white-grub which feeds on outer edge of crown of strawberry. 



As long ago as 1883, Professor C. M. Weed, then instructor in the 

 Michigan Agricultural College, published an account of this insect, re- 

 porting it as destructive to strawberries here at the College. Since that 

 time we have heard comparatively little about it until recently, nor do 

 the recent reports speak of the trouble as of a very serious nature, the 



* In this connection we may mention tiiat'we have obtained Lyctus unipunctatus from Hillsiiale, 

 Mich., collected, 5 June, 1900, tunneling in dead and dyinp grape canes. Mr. G. C. Davis also re- 

 cords the same species in a red oak floor here at the AgricLiltural College, in 1891. 

 28 



