ENTOMOLOGY. H75 



of over- healing- bark as well as though they were colonized on the 

 tender rootlets. Where the wounds ou the peach roots were infested 

 by the aphis all bits of gum aud detached bark had seemingly been 

 removed, thus giving a clear area for the work of the aphis; and here 

 as elsewhere the ants were found carefully looking after them. The 

 conclusion reached is that the ants intentionally gnaw the bark on the 

 roots where there is a lack of rootlets for the required feeding in order 

 to furnish a supply of food for the aphis. 



Second report on the San Jose scale, H. P. Gould (N~etc York 

 Cornell Sta. Bui. 155, pp. 159-171, fiys. .5).— The observations recorded 

 in this bulletin are in continuation of those previously given (E. S. It., 

 10, p. 468). The author is inclined to believe that by the use of 

 mechanical mixtures of kerosene and water it is possible to kill the 

 scale and not injure the foliage of the plants. His experiments 

 reported in the previous bulletin were repeated during 1898, and a 

 large number of small pear trees badly infested with the San Jose 

 scale were treated with solutions and mixtures of whale-oil soap, pure 

 kerosene and kerosene diluted with various amounts of water, quas- 

 saiue, and West's insecticide. The effects of these different insecticides 

 upon the foliage of the trees is given and their efficiency as insecticides 

 compared. The best results were obtained with the keroseue. 



The author states that the practicability of spraying for the destruc- 

 tion of the San Jose scale will depend largely upon conditions. In the 

 case of fruit trees or ornamentals permanently set which have not 

 become weakened by attacks of the insect it will be entirely feasible 

 to protect the trees from further injury by spraying them with kero- 

 sene, but spraying can not be recommended for nursery stock. '. i 

 the latter fumigation with potassium cyanid is recommended. The 

 most satisfactory time for spraying is during the active stage of the 

 scale in the summer and early fall. 



The effect of kerosene on peach and apple trees was investigated to 

 some extent. It is stated that pure kerosene will seriously injure 

 peach trees even when they are in a perfectly dormant condition. A 

 20 per cent mixture can probably be safely used on the peach at any 

 time, but stronger mixtures are to be avoided. Apple trees do not 

 appear as susceptible to injury by kerosene as peach trees, and upon 

 apple trees a mixture containing 50 per cent or less may be used with 

 safety. Kerosene is especially likely to cause injury if applied on other 

 than a bright sunny day. In the author's experiments a 20 per cent 

 solution was found harmless to plants and destructive to all insects. 



Diseases of sugar cane in the Antilles, G. Saussine (Bui. Agr. Martinique, 1S9S, 

 No. 1, pp. 23-35).— Notes are given on the following insects : Diatra a saccharqlis, Xyle- 

 borus perforans, Splienophorus sacchari, scale insects, plant lice, etc. 



Contributions to the knowledge of Coccidee, T. D. A. COCKERELL and P. J. 

 Parrott (Industrialist, 25 (1899), Xo. 4, pp. ,227-337). 



A new enemy of wheat, F. Noack (Bol. Inst. Agron. Sao Paulo, 9 1898 No. 6, 

 pp. 261, 262).— The larva? of Molus pyroblapius are said to be very injurious to wheat. 



18562— No. 10 6 



