654 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Of 17 substances experimented with but two, namely, borax and calcined 

 colemanite, gave satisfactory results. Borax in the commercial form in whicli 

 it is available throughout the country was found to be by far the most effective, 

 economical, and practical. It increases the water-soluble nitrogen, ammonia, 

 and alkalinity of manure and apparently does not permanently injure the 

 bacterial flora. The application of manure treated with borax at the rate of 

 0.62 lb. per 8 bu. or 10 cu. ft. to soil does not injure the plants thus far tested, 

 although its cumulative effect, if any, has not been determined. It is recom- 

 mended, however, that not more tlian 15 tons per acre of the borax-treated 

 manure should be applied to the field. 



In treating manure with borax to kill fly eggs and maggots it is recommended 

 that 0.62 lb. of borax or 0.75 lb. of calcined colemanite be applied to every 

 10 cu, ft. of manure immediately on its removal from the barn. The borax 

 should be applied particularly around the outer edges of the pile with a flour 

 sifter or any fine sieve, and the borax-treated manure sprinkled with 2 or 3 

 gal. of water. "As the maggots congregate at the outer edges of the pile, 

 most of the borax should be applied there. The treatment should be repeated 

 with each addition of fresh manure, but when the manure is kept in closed 

 boxes less frequent applications will be sufficient. Where calcined colemanite 

 is available, it may be used at the rate of 0.75 lb. per 10 cu. ft. of manure, 

 and is a cheaper means of killing the maggots. In addition to the application 

 of borax to horse manure to kill fly larvae, it may be applied in the same pro- 

 portion to other manures, as well as to refuse and garbage. Borax may also 

 be applied to floors and crevices in barns, stables, markets, etc., as well as to 

 street sweepings, and water should be added as in the treatment of horse manure. 

 After estimating the amount of material to be treated and weighing the neces- 

 saiy amount of borax a measure may be used which will hold the proper amount, 

 thus avoiding subsequent weighings." 



The estimated cost of treatment with borax at 5 to 6 cts. per pound in 100-lb. 

 lots is estimated at practically 1 ct. per horse per day. If calcined colemanite 

 is purchased in large shipments the cost should be considerably less. 



A bibliography of 12 titles is appended. 



[Eliminating a city's flies], J. Dawson (Sci. Amer., Ill (1914), A^o. 2, pp. 

 28. 29, 3Jf, figs. 9). — This is an account of the campaign against the house fly in 

 Cleveland, Ohio. 



Flies and diarrheal disease, D. B. Armstrong (N. Y. Assoc. Improving Con- 

 dition Poor Pub. 79 U9U], pp. 29, pis. 3, figs. 3).— This reports investigations 

 of the Bureau of Public Health and Hygiene of the Department of Social Welfare. 

 Although the work, which was carried on in New York City, is not considered 

 sufficiently extended for general deductions, it is interesting and suggestive. 

 There was apparently a marked reduction in the amount of diarrheal diseases 

 in the area protected from flies as compared with similar unprotected areas. 



Control of cabbage maggot on early cabbage, F. H. Hall (New York State 

 Sta. Bui. 382, popular cd. (1914), pp. 3-12. figs. 9).— A popular edition of the 

 bulletin previously noted (E. S. R.. 31. p. 352). 



The chief remedies against the larvae and adults of Lema melanopus, a 

 pest of summer-sown grain, E. M. Vassiliev (Trudy Opytn. Ent. StantsU 

 rseross. Obshcfi. Sakh. Zavod. [Kic-v], 1912, pp. 1, 2; ahs. in Rev. Appl. Ent., 

 1 (1913), Ser. A, No. 12, p. 479). — During 1910-11 the adult and immature 

 stages of L. melanoiins are said to have injured oats and barley and summer- 

 sown wheat in tlie Government of Kharkof. 



Bothynoderes punctiventris and methods of fighting it. Y. Pospielov 

 ( Sveklovichnyi Dolfjonosik i Miery Bor'hy s Nim. St. Petershunj: Glar. Uprav. 

 Zemleustroistva i Zeml., Dept. Zeml., 1913, 2. ed., pp. 116, pis. 3, figs. S; rev. 



