660 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



trees, and lawns, ^'al•ious reports relating to this damage have been received 

 from farmers. 



The natural agencies which assist in the control of held mice are climatic 

 changes, epidemic diseases, and mammals, birds, and snakes. The chief arti- 

 ficial means of restraint consist of trapping, and other mechanical devices, im- 

 proved cultural methods, poisoning, fumigation, and dissemination of infectious 

 diseases. The author urges the protection of the natural enemies of field mice, 

 clean cultivation of crops, a rotation system which jirevents land from remain- 

 ing too long in grass, and the destruction of trash and litter about orchards and 

 gardens. 



Means of controlling' mice, H. Kaeiuger (Landw. Wchnschr. Iriucliscn, !) 

 {1901), Nos. JiO, pp. 358-3(!0 ; J^l, pp. 366-368). — Experiments were carried on to 

 determine the most effective and economic methods for destroying various 

 species of mice including Arvicola ampJnbius, A. agrcstis, A. glareoltis, Ji/^s• 

 musculus, etc. The conclusion is reached that the best means for controlling 

 mice is to be found in the use of specific bacterial cultures. For the destruction 

 of field mice, the author recommends the use of cultures of mouse typhoid and 

 for the eradication of other species of mice cultures of ratin. 



Some notes on the food of birds, C. H. Hooper (Jour. Bd. Agr. [London], 

 IJf. {1!)07}, No. 7, pp. .'f02-.'/12). — Circular letters of inquiry were sent to various 

 correspondents asking for observations on the feeding habits of a number of 

 common birds. The replies received have been so summarized as to show the 

 average diet of blackbirds, sparrows, thrush, finches, pigeons, etc. A study of 

 the feeding habits of the black-headed gull showed that earthworms are al- 

 most a constant ration for these birds. Considerable numbers of wireworms, 

 slugs, and other insects were also found in the stomachs of the black-headed 

 gulls, but fish appeared to have been eaten rather sparingly. 



Index-catalogue of medical and veterinary zoology, C. W. Stiles and A. 

 Hassall (U. »S. Dcpt. Agr., Bur. Anim. Indus. Bui. 3!l, pt. 19, pp. 1399-1Jfl)2).— 

 In this part of the index-catalogue of medical and veterinary zoology a list of 

 authors is given from Mitschein to Myrepsus. 



Report of the entomolog'ist, E. W. Bergeu {Florida 8ta. Rpt. 1907, pp. XXX- 

 XLII, pis. 2). — The chief entomological problem of the year Avas white fly. 

 At present 3 parasitic fungi, the red and yellow Aschersonia and the brown 

 fungus are known to be important agents in its control. A foui'th species 

 {Sphwrostilbc coccophila) is sometimes found upon young white flies but is of 

 little value except for scale insects. 



The most important result from this investigation was the demonstration 

 that the red and yellow fungi may be successfully used in controlling white 

 flies by spraying a mixture of the spores of these fungi in water on the under 

 surface of the leaves. This method has been compared with that of pinning 

 infested leaves and has proved better than the latter. In spraying mixtures 

 of the spores of the parasitic fimgi it is important that the spraying apparatus 

 should not have been previously used for Bordeaux mixture or other fungicides 

 since spores might thus be destroyed. The results from this work in the destruc- 

 tion of white flies have been very striking. Some benefit has also been reported 

 from the use of these fungi in controlling the Avhite fly in greenhouses. 



Sphwrostilhc coccophila is widely distributed throughout the State and in 

 other localities. This fungus in connection with Ophionectra cocciaola and 

 Myrangium duri/i has been found a very effective means of destroying San 

 Jose and other scales. Notes'are also given on orange chionaspis, white peach 

 scale. West Indian scale, mealy bugs, plant lice, palmetto weeA'il, leaf hoppers, 

 and other insect pests. 



