246 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



the author to the conclusion that the fungus is Pht/Uuctinia coriflea, which also 

 attacks the hazel. 



A study of the mildew of the peach in relation to the new mildew on the 

 oak, (i. CuBONi and L. Petri (Aili R. Accad. Lined, Rend. CI. Sei. Fis., Mat. 

 € Nat., 5. set:, 18 (1909), I, No. 7, pp. 325-326). — A comparative study was made 

 of the mildew occurring on peaches, roses, etc. (Sphwrotheca pannosa), and of 

 what the authors consider a new species the conidial form of which has been 

 quite prevalent on oaks in southern Europe. 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY— ENTOMOLOGY. 



A treatise on zoology, edited by E. R. Lankester (London, 1909, pt. 1, pp. 

 XXII+296, figs. 151). — This is the first of two fascicles upon the protozoa. 



Section A on the Proteomyxa is by S. J. Hickson, Section B on the Heliozoa 

 by W. F. R. Weldon and S. J. Hickson, Section C on the Mycetozoa by J. J. 

 Lister, Section D on the Lobosa by S. J. Hickson, Section E ou the Radiolaria 

 by F. W. Gamble, Section F ou the Mastigophora by Arthur Willey and S. J. 

 Hickson, and Section G on the Haemoflagellates and allied forms, including a 

 list of the known natural hosts, by H. M. Woodcock. A bibliographical list is 

 given at the end of each section. 



Appendix A includes the Chlaniydomyxa, by J. J. Lister, and Appendix B 

 the Xenophyophoridfe. by F. E. Schultze. 



Treating- seed corn to protect it from burrowing animals, T. H. Schedfer 

 (Kansas Sia. Circ. 1, pp. '/). — This circular was prepared partly to supply 

 timely information on the subject and partly to secure the cooperation of farm- 

 ers in testing the various methods proposed. Examinations of the stomach 

 contents of over 150 specimens taken in all months of the year have shown 

 that mice and not moles are responsible for the numerous depredations. 



Experiments in methods of preventing the theft of seed grains in the ground 

 have followed three lines — baiting the pests some days in advance of planting, 

 regular planting of poisoned seed, and surface coating of seed with ill flavored 

 substances, and the results with each are briefly discussed. Kerosene, crude 

 petroleum, copperas, crude carbolic acid, fish oil, and spirits of camphor, when 

 used in sufficient quantity or strength to impart an odor to the corn, were 

 found to seriously injure the germinating powers of the grain. Mixing pulver- 

 ized gum camphor with the dry grain and storing it in a closed vessel for some 

 days, which has been recommended as an efficient treatment, gave negative 

 results. Pine tar has a strong odor but leaves the grain too sticky to work in 

 a planter. Coal tar makes an ideal coating of a rich brown color and a jier- 

 sistent gassy smell. It dries nicely, is not in the least sticky, and will work 

 well in the planter. Soaking corn in strong tobacco decoction for a few hours 

 or simply wetting it with the liquid also seems to promise good results. It is 

 stated, however, that no final i-ecommendations can as yet be made. 



The crow as a menace to poultry raising, L. J. Cole (Rhode L^land 8ta. 

 Rpt. 1908, pp. 312-316). — This is a brief discussion on the economic importance 

 of the common crow as related to poultry raising. Losses in 1908 on two 

 poultry farms are reported, one in which about 25 per cent of the chickens 

 hatched out were taken, and another in which nearly 87 per cent of the duck- 

 lings were carried away by crows. The eggs of the turkey, which is commonly 

 allowed to roam and select its nesting site far removed from the house or 

 poultry yard, are said to be especially liable to destruction by crows. 



A plea for the protection of our birds, L. Bruner (Insect Pest and Plant 

 Disease Bur. Nehr., Circ. 11, pp. -'/, dgm. 1). — A bi'ief account of the value of 

 birds as destroyers of injurious insects. 



