1899] Reviews. 175 



Central Experimental Farm ; Report of the Entomologist 

 AND Botanist, 1898. (James Fletcher, LL. D., F.R.S.C.) 



This very interesting- and valuable contribution to the Annual 

 Report on Experimental Farms, includes pages 167 to 219, of that 

 publication, and is illustrated by 25 figures. It furnishes a very 

 comprehensive review of the more important insect enemies of the 

 past year, and contains also Mr. Fixterls report on the Apiary. 

 The insects are dealt with under the heading of the several crops 

 chiefly injured by them, and the various chapters contain many 

 original observations on the species discussed. The absence of 

 Dr. Fletcher during two months of the summer, while enabling 

 him to do valuable work by lecturing at so many farmers' meet- 

 ings in Manitoba, the Northwest Territories and British Columbia, 

 must necessarily have lessened his opportunities for completing 

 some of his investigations. 



Cereals. — The worst pests of the grain crops were the Midge, 

 Hessian Fly, Wheat-stem Maggot, American Frit-fly, Grain Aphis, 

 Joint-worms [Isosonia) and Cut-worms. In Southern Manitoba 

 there was considerable damage caused by the Rocky Mountain 

 Locust. Several districts were visited by Dr. Fletcher, who re- 

 commends ploughing under the eggs, and also the use of poisoned 

 bran, which has been found so useful in destroying cut-worms. 

 Vegetables and Root Crops seemed to have suffered less than in 

 previous years, but the Black Army-worm was destructive in some 

 districts, and cut-worms, as usual, occasioned a considerable dam- 

 age. Among other pests are the Pea Moth, Pea and Bean Weev- 

 ils, Carrot Rust-fly, Turnip Aphis, Root Maggots, White Grubs 

 and Wire-worms. 



Fruits. — This important crop was in general a good one, 

 and was not especially injured by insects Many of the fruits, in- 

 cluding plums and peaches, were attacked, however, by various 

 blights and other fungous diseases. The most noticeable insects 

 were the Apple Fruit-miner and the Plum-Moth (or Lesser Apple- 

 worm)in British Columbia^ and the Tent Caterpillars generally 

 The Plum Curculio and the Green Fruit-worms {Xylina) and Apple 

 Aphis caused considerable loss in some sections. One of the 

 most interesting appearances was that of a hitherto rare beetle 

 {Xylocrms Agassisii, Lee.) in Victoria, infesting the roots of 



