THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



295 



plowing under, burning or grazing, as long before killing frosts are expected as can 

 possibly be done. This is to deprive the weevils of food at a time when they need 

 it and hence lower the possibilities of successful hibernation. 



QUARANTINE. 



In addition to the repression measures, there are the prevention measures of 

 quarantine, which latter most concern California at present. In spite of the rapid 

 movement of the weevil by natural methods, it is indisputable that the species would 

 have been far more widely distributed had it not been restricted to natural spread 

 by quarantine methods. The quarantines in effect in the majority of the Southern 

 States forbid the shipment of cotton seed or seed cotton, cotton seed sacks, cotton 

 pickers sacks, cotton seed hulls, Spanish moss and furniture packed in any of the 

 above articles from infested territory to noninfested territory. It is also inadvisable 

 to move freight cars which have carried such articles from infested territory to non- 

 infested territory, until they jave been thoroughly cleaned. Seed may be shipped 

 if a certificate accompanies, stating that a competent entomologist has fumigated 

 with carbon bisulphide. 



The special regulations of the state of California cover only the shipment of cotton 

 seed from infested territory and the cleaning of cars which have contained seed or 

 lint. As far as these provisions go they appear very good, but it is the opinion of 

 the writer that provisions covering the other commodities mentioned above should 

 be included, and that furthermore there should be a restriction of the shipment of 

 Thurberia (wild cotton) seed and bolls from anywhere. This plant is regarded as 

 D pretty garden plant and might be thus introduced 



THE ALFALFA WEEVIL. 



By Harry S. Smith. 



Alfalfa is California's most valuable forage crop. It is the backbone of the live 

 stock industry of the state, and its protection from destructive pests is therefore of 

 prime importance. 



The alfalfa weevil (Phytonomus posticus Gyll.) is the most destructive pest of 

 alfalfa occurring in the United States, and against it California maintains a strict 



F lr , 94 — Alfalfa weevil (Phvtonomus posticus GyW.t greatly enlarged 

 and a stem of alfalfa infested with eggs and larva?. (U. S. Dept. Agr.). 



quarantine. This insect occurs at the present time in Utah, the southeastern corner 

 of Idaho and the southwestern corner of Wyoming. It was introduced in some 

 unknown way from the Old World, where it is found throughout the Mediterranean 

 region. It was first discovered in this country near Salt Lake City, Utah, about 

 thirteen vears ago. where it covered only a few acres of territory. Since then it has 

 spread with considerable rapidity, although it has not made any extended jumps in 

 its distribution. 



