ABSTRACTS OF PUBLICATIONS OF THE FNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF 



AGRICLLTLKE. 



DIVISION OF STATISTICS. 



Eepout No. 90 (new seuies), Novemhek, 1S9I (pp. r)0.vr).'^4). — 

 Tlii.s includes a report on the estimated yield ijer acre of corn, potatoes, 

 cotton, buckwheat, hay, and tobacco; notes from reports of State agents; 

 European crop report for Xovember; an article on agriculture in Par- 

 aguay, South ximerica; notes on foreign agricidture; and rates of trans- 

 portation comi)auies. 



DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



Insect Life, Vol. IV, ISTos. 3 and 4, November, 1891 (pp. 87-102, 

 figs. II). — The princi])al articles in this double number are: The Larger 

 Cornstalk borer (/>m/mvT .savrharalis), ])y L. O, Howard; On tlie Habits 

 and Life History of Diahrotica 12-punctatn, by C. V. Riley; A New 

 Herbarium Pest {Carphnxcra ptclearla n. gen. and sp.), by C, V. Riley; 

 Vf/imyia irr/crt/m', the Parasite of the Japaiu'sc Silkworm, by J. Mik; 

 Further Notes on Fanchlora, by 0. V. Riley; Some Studies of the Clover 

 Hay Worm {Asopia costtilis), by F. ^I. Webster: Some of the Bred Para- 

 sitic Hymenoptera in the National Collection (continued); The Three 

 Pear Tree Psyllas {rsi/Ua pj/risufja, I\ pyri, and P. pifricola): The First 

 Introduction of Blasfophafia pscncs into California, by G. Eisen; Com- 

 ments on the Fifth Report of the U. S. Entomological Commission, by 

 J. Hamilton. 



In the article on the larger cornstalk borer a bibliographical history 

 of the insect is given, together with an account of its life history and 

 habits, illustrated by three figures. In the summer of 1891 the borer 

 was observed to feed on the stalks of gama g:rass {Tripsacum (lacty- 

 loides), thus adding another species to the list of its food plants. For 

 the past three quarters of a century this insect has been recognized as 

 a serious enemy of sugar cane in the West Indies, and for over 30 

 years has infested cane and corn in the Southern States. It has been 

 particularly abundant in the cornfields of Louisiana, where it was first 

 recorded in 1S.")7. It has slowly si>rcad througlumt the cotton States, 

 and in ISIU seriously injured corn in Virginia and Maryland. -Where 

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