ENTOMOLOGY. 459 



The experiments consisted, of blowing air for 20 and 45 minutes through a 

 Bordeaux mixture containing pure copper sulphate, leaving the Bordeaux mix- 

 ture exposed for 1 and 24 hours in open bealiers with frequent stirring and 

 shaking, and for the same time without any stirring, and of treating the Bor- 

 deaux mixture with carbon dioxid. 



The conclusion reached in these exi^eriments is that although an excess of 

 carbon dioxid in the Bordeaux mixture renders soluble small quantities of the 

 copper, yet it appears impossible to assign the fungicidal action of the Bordeaux 

 mixture to copper sulphate liberated by atmospheric carbon dioxid alone. 



A colloidal copper fungicide, V. Vekmorel and E. Dantony (Compt. Rend. 

 Acad. Soi. [Paris], 152 {1911), No. 10, pp. 1263-1265) .—A. description is given 

 of a so-called colloidal copper-soap mixture. This is prepared by dissolving 

 500 gm. of copper sulphate in 50 liters of water and 2,000 gm. of soaiD, as rich 

 as possible in oleate of soda and containing neither carbonate of soda nor 

 alkaline hydrates in excess, in 50 liters of water, and then pouring the copper 

 solution into the soap mixture. It is claimed that the resulting mixture will 

 be an opaque blue-green liquid which wets the plants (grapes) as easily as 

 alcohol and has marked fungicidal properties. 



New lime-sulphur strainer, J. P. Stewart (Rural Neiv Yorker, 70 {1911), 

 No. JjOSS, p. 276, fig. 1). — The author figures and describes a strainer in which 

 the liquid is strained upward instead of downward, thereby preventing the 

 deposit of sediment on the screen, which, is of common occurrence with the 

 old types of strainers. 



The strainer consists of a box with a vertical partition extending throughout 

 the middle and down about half way, dividing the box into a shallow and a 

 deep compartment. Across the bottom of the shallow portion is placed a 30 to 

 50 mesh screen of iron or brass. On pouring the spray material into the deep 

 compartment it rises and passes through the strainer into the shallow com- 

 partment where it may be drawn off by a faucet as needed. 



ENTOMOLOGY. 



Report of the entomologist, J. B. Smith {Neio Jersey Stas. Rpt. 1909, pp. 

 353-417, pi. 1, figs. 11).— A report for the year ended October 31, 1909. 



Under the heading of Insecticide Records, the author briefly considers tests 

 with the arsenicqls, sulphur solutions and compounds, vacuum oil, San-u-Zay 

 scale oil, Cooper's V- fluid, Aspinwall's insecticide, and tobacco preparations. 



The Chinese mantid is said to have definitely established itself in the State. 

 Plant lice appeared in great numbers throughout the season. An outbreak of 

 the army worm occurred at a number of points in 3 counties during the middle 

 and latter half of June. 



A report of investigations of root maggots in continuation of those previously 

 noted (E. S. R., 22, p. 159) conducted by E. L. Dickerson is incorporated in the 

 report (pp. 3S1-392). At Mercerville it was found on May 5 that oviposition 

 had commenced on cabbage plants. In one patch " specimens of the red mite 

 {TromMdium sericium) were noted — sometimes 2 about a single plant, in the 

 work of destroying the eggs. In this patch several specimens of cynipid para- 

 site were also observed. In most cases they were moving actively upon the 

 stems of the plants, but one was noted below the surface." A strong solution 

 of carbolic acid emulsion sprayed about the roots of cabbage plants on May 3, 

 after the soil had been removed, did not injure the plants, but apparently 

 killed all the maggots with which it came in contact. 



The infestation of onions was found to be over by July 1, at which time all the 

 flies had disappeared. Pegomyia vicina was observed June 7 working in beet 



