754 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



septic wash. For wounds in growing twigs the author recommends a solution 

 containing 4 parts glycerin and 11 parts formalin in 85 parts of water. For 

 wounds in trunks of trees a formula is suggested calling for 6 parts of glycerin 

 and 18 parts of formalin in 76 parts of water. 



Third report on dust and liquid spraying, C. P. Close (Delaware Bta. Bui. 

 16, pp. 19). — The work reported in this bulletin largely confirms previous re- 

 sults obtained by the station (E. S. R.. 17, p. 904). A comparison was made 

 between dusting with Paris green and full strength or half strength Bordeaux 

 with Paris green and also between Paris green and arsenate of lead with 

 Bordeaux mixture. The kerosene-lime-Bordeaux poison mixture was also tested. 

 Applications of these insecticides were made on apple orchards, including several 

 varieties. It was found that the total cost of spraying with dust was 2 cts. per 

 tree, as compared with 4.75 cts. with the liquid application. 



Details of results are presented in a tabular form. The comparison of full 

 strength and half strength Bordeaux mixture showed that the half strength 

 kept the fruit and foliage apparently as healthy as was the case when full 

 strength Boi'deaux mixture was used. The apples showed no russeting, but the 

 amount of dropped fruit was somewhat less when the full strength mixture was 

 applied. The liquid spray controlled bitter rot better than dust spray, but 

 apple scab was entirely controlled by either method. 



A preliminary account of the life history of the common house fly, C. G. 

 Hewitt {Hem. and Proc. Manchester Lit. and Phil. 8oc., 51 (1906-7), pt. 1, 

 Ao. 1, pp. 1-Jf). — According to the author's observations each female house fly 

 deposits about 120 eggs in fresh horse manure. In hot weather it was found 

 that the whole life cycle might be passed through in 15 days. 



Apiculture, T. W. Kirk (Neiv Zeal. Dcpt. Ayr. Ann. Rpt.. I'f (1906), pp. 

 .'i27-Jf.3-'i. pis. 6, pys. S). — The subject of poisonous honey was investigated. In 

 samples of honey said to have been poisonous to native Maoris, pollen grains 

 were found apparently belonging to NanHnciilii.'< rinilaris or some related 

 species and other honey-producing plants, particularly Knightia excclsa. The 

 evidence obtained in this study was not conclusive, but indicates that the pollen 

 grains of some of the plants may exercise a poisonous effect. 



Xotes are also given on the inspection of apiaries, the organization of a state 

 .•il)iary, foul brood, and the introduction of bees into New Zealand. 



Bees, A. Luuwiu (Lhiserc Bienoi. Berlin: F. Pfeiiningstorff [1907], pp. VIII 

 + 831, pis. 5), fi]/s. 369). — The present volume constitutes an elaborate hand- 

 book covering all the points on which the bee raiser desires information. 

 Special chapters are devoted to the biology and life history of bees, economic 

 importance of ai)iculture, various methods of managing bees, bee apparatus and 

 appliances, the utilization of honey, the history and present status of the 

 varieties of lices. the diseases of bees, and other related matters. 



Breeding bees by selection, F. W. L. Slauen (Brit. Bee .loin:. J.7 (1907), 

 \o. l.iS',i, pp. 21-23).- — In the author's first efforts to improve the honey-produc- 

 ing character of bees, little ditticulty was experienced in making selection of the 

 best honey-producing colonies on the queen side, but on the drone side the 

 selection was nmch more ditticult. At first it was almost impossiltle to identify 

 the offspring of particular (pieens and drones. Finally differences in color 

 were hit upon as furnishing a means for such selection. 



It was soon found that there was little or no correlation between the color 

 character and the honey-producing character. These two characters appeared 

 to be inherited independently. There were dark and light colored bees of high 

 and low honey-producing power. All the light-colored bees except the best 

 honey producers were eliminated from the breeding experiments, and light- 

 colored drones of good parentage were crossed on (pieens obtained in this way. 



