ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY ENTOMOLOGY. 549 



(P. n-illl-ommii). Two species were tried, Japanese larcli (Lari.i- leptolcim) and 

 a western larch {L. Occident alis), but neither proved to be immune from the 

 attacks of the fungus. 



Protection against fungus diseases, A. C Forbes {Dcpt. Ayr. and Tech. 

 Instr. Ireland Jour., 10 {1909), No. 1, pp. 35-42, pis. 10). — This paper is one 

 of a series on the protection of forests and woodlands and is devoted to accounts 

 of fungi which attack the bark, stem, and roots of forest trees. The principal 

 species described are Xectria ditisi<ima and A', cinnaharina on deciduous trees, 

 Peziza wiUlominii on larch, and Peridermium pini on pines. 



The control of root parasites of plants, G. Bellair {Rev. Hoi-t. [Pons], 

 81 {1909), No. 23, pp. 5o5, 556, figs. 2). — -Directions are given for the steriliza- 

 tion of the soil as a means for the control of nematodes and various fungi which 

 attack the roots of plants. The methods of sterilization described are those 

 applicable to field treatment and consist in injecting formalin or carbon bisul- 

 phid into the soil. The treatments should be made early in the autumn or 

 late in the winter and should be repeated in 2 or 3 weeks. In addition to 

 the use of the chemicals it is recommended that other crops should occupy the 

 ground for some time, in order to prevent the possibility of the development of 

 the nematodes or the fungi. 



Fungicides and insecticides, A. E. van Hall-de Jonge {Dept. Landb. ^^Hri• 

 name Bui. 22, pp. l-ll). — The author gives formulas and directions for applica- 

 tion of a number of the more common fungicides and insecticides, among them 

 being Bordeaux mixture, petroleum emulsion, Paris green, lead arsenate, etc. 



Bordeaux-sugar mixtures, A. Kollikeb {Ztschr. Pflanzenkrank., 19 {1909), 

 No. 7, pp. 385, 386). — The author discusses the value and chemical composition 

 of Bordeaux-sugar mixtures. The claim is made that when small quantities of 

 sugar or molasses are added to the usual Bordeaux mixture, its keeping quali- 

 ties are increased, it stays on the plants longer, and the sugar combines with 

 the Bordeaux forming new salts which, when sprayed on the leaves and exposed 

 to the action of the air, rapidly decompose and liberate the copper. It was 

 found that the salts formed in the Bordeaux-sugar mixtures were double salts 

 of complex structure. 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY— ENTOMOLOGY. 



How to destroy English sparrows, N. Dearborn {U. »9. Dept. Agr., Farmers' 

 Bill. 383, pp. 11, figs. //). — The English sparrow, introduced about 60 years ago, 

 is now generally distributed over the eastern half of the United States and 

 southern Canada and locally westward to the Pacific Coast. A few approved 

 methods for abating t^ie nuisance, applicable to different conditions, are here 

 described. The most effective method of preventing the increase of sparrows 

 in a locality is considered to be to destroy their nests at intervals of 10 or 12 

 days throughout the breeding season. 



Methods of destruction are discussed under the headings of baiting, trapping, 

 shooting, and poisoning. Where the use of poison is not prohibited by law 

 it may be effectively used to reduce the number of sparrows. Of the different 

 poisons tested, the most satisfactory is strychnia sulphate, since it is easily 

 prepared and acts quickly. "A poison mixture that has proved very effective 

 is prepared as follows: Put J oz. of strychnia sulphate into J gill of hot water 

 and boil until dissolved. Moisten lA teaspooufuls of starch with a few drops of 

 cold water, add it to the poison solution, and heat till the starch thickens. 

 Pour the hot poisoned starch solution over 1 qt. of wheat and stir until every 

 kernel iS' coated." Although 2 kernels of wheat coated with the solution have 

 been known to kill a sparrow, 6 or 7 kernels are required to insure fatal results. 



