292 



station with a uumber of remedies for the striped cucumber beetle {Dia- 

 brotica vittata), and the results were reported in the Ohio Station Bulle- 

 tin, Vol. II, No. 6 (second series), pp. 143-148 (See Experiment Station 

 Record, Vol. I, p. 290). Experiments in this line were continued in 1890 

 in a field of 2 acres planted to squashes, melons, and cucumbers. "The 

 first striped beetles appeared June 5. They then came in great num- 

 bers and destroyed at least half the plants above ground before the 

 latter could be treated. Two general methods of treatment were em- 

 ployed, viz.: (1) coating the plants with poisonous substances; and (2) 

 fencing out by mechanical barriers." Results are reported for six sub- 

 stances applied to the plants, viz., "hellebore, slug shot, Paris green, 

 X. O. dust, peroxide of silicates, and tobacco. On account of frequent 

 rains that washed the powders off the applications were often repeated." 

 The first four were ineffectual and " peroxide of silicates" was only 

 imrtially effective. The report for tobacco is as follows: "A uumber 

 of barrels of tobacco dust packing from a cigar manufactory were ob- 

 tained in the city and applied very freely to the squash hills. A shovel- 

 ful of the tobacco was thrown upon each hill. The first application 

 was made to eighty hills June 12. Rains coming soon after, it was re- 

 peated June 15, 16, and 17. The results were excellent. The beetles 

 seemed to dislike working in the tobacco, and the plants on all of the 

 hills treated came through in good condition. Aside from its value as 

 an insecticide the tobacco acts both as a mulch and fertilizer." 



Covering the plants with x^lant or cheesecloth supported on pieces of 

 barrel hoops, proved satisfactory this year as last. A modification of this 

 method successfully used by R. J. Tussing, of Franklin County, Ohio, is 

 thus described : 



It consists of two end boards one half inch thick, about 15 inches long by 6 or 8 

 inches wide. On the middle of each of these is nailed a piece of pointed lath at right 

 angles to the long way of the board. The lower end of each lath projects below the 

 edge of the board and is stuck in the ground. Before the laths are piit on, the end 

 pieces are connected with each other by a piece of plant cloth about 16 inches square, 

 the ends being tacked to the top and sities of the boards. This protector has many 

 advantages. It can be stored in very little space. When it is desired to cultivate 

 the hills it is only necessary to pull up one end, stir the earth, and put the end back 

 in position. 



Open frames, consisting of four boards nailed together, were tried, but 

 as was anticipated, were entirely ineffective. 



On the life history of the rhubarb curculio, C. M. Weed, 

 D. Sc. (pp. 232-235, illustrated).— In Ohio Station Bulletin, Vol. II, No. 

 6 (second series), p. 153 (See Experiment Station Record Vol. I, p. 291), 

 attention was called to injury to rhubarb by a snout beetle {Lixus 

 concavus, Say). " The egg is there described, but the further life his- 

 tory of the insect is said to be unknown." In the present article we 

 have brief mention of other literature regarding this insect and a report 

 of observations made by the author in 1890. Curculionid larvse were 

 found on the curled dock [Bumex crispus) July 15 and 16, and larvae 



