154 EXPERIMENT STATION BECOEO. [Vol.38 



remained in soluble and available form for as long as 50 days in spite of 

 repeated rains. The allialine Bordeaux mixture is therefore preferred. 



Acid or alkaline sprays, V. Vermoeel and E. Dantony (Prog. Agr. et Vit. 

 (Ed. VEst-Ccntre), 38 (1917), No. 18, pp. ^28, J,29).— In a summary of the re- 

 sults of recent work on Bordeaux mixtures differing in composition, the authors 

 state that tlie alkaline and the acid preparations differ widely as regards their 

 actual constitution. The acid mixture is not constituted of copper sulphate 

 and lime in a mere mechanical mixture, but is formed of a basic sulphate and 

 of a small quantity of normal sulphate. The alkaline preparation is entirely 

 different, being a mixture having a great excess of sulphates of copper of very 

 high basicity and of double sulphates of copper and lime. The authors think 

 that there are also hydrates of copper and of lime in excess of the calcium 

 sulphate present. A constituent common to both these forms is calcium 

 sulphate. 



Under the action of rain, as of chemical reagents, the two mixtures behave 

 differently, the alkaline being much the more lasting. This fact is discussed, 

 as are others, with advice against certain preparations. The authors advise 

 strongly against the employment of the acid spray. It is claimed that excess 

 of lime (which is regarded by some as to be avoided) is not in any way 

 injurious. 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY— ENTOMOLOGY. 



The muskrat as a fur bearer, with notes on its use as food, D. E. Lantz 

 [U. S. Devt. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 869 {1917), pp. 22, figs. 4).— This abridgement 

 and revision of Farmers' Bulletin 396 (E. S. R., 23, p. 356) calls attention to the 

 importance of the muskrat as a fur bearer and suggests the utilization of private 

 ponds and marsh lands for an increased production of fur and meat. 



The mongoose in Barbados, W. Nowell {Agr. Neivs [Barbados], 16 (1917), 

 No. S96, p. 206). — The author holds the view that the increasing damage to 

 crops by insect pests in Barbados is to a large extent due to the destruction 

 of birds, lizards, and toads by the mongoose. 



Recognition among insects, N. E. McIndoo {Smithsn. Misc. Collect., 68 

 (1917), No. 2, pp. 78). 



A manual of dangerous insects likely to be introduced in the United 

 States through importations, edited by W. D. Pierce {U. S. Dept. Agr., Office 

 Sec. [Pub.l, 1917, pp. 256, pis. 50, figs. 107). — This manual has been prepared 

 by the Bureau of Entomology in cooperation with the Federal Horticultural 

 Board with a view to supplying such information as is required by their 

 officers and others in the enforcement of quarantines and the safeguarding of 

 this country against the introduction of foreign insect pests. A brief sketch 

 of each of the more important insects and certain important facts concerning 

 each plant on which they are likely to be introduced are given. The host 

 plant arrangement has been followed, under each of which are grouped, first, 

 the better known insects and, second, those not so well known or concerning 

 which descriptive matter is not available. Insect and plant indexes are included. 



Insects of 1916 [in Maryland], E. N. Coky {Rpt. Md. Agr. Soc, 1 {1916), 

 pp. 200-208, pi. 1). — A brief account is given of the more injurious of some 60 

 insect pests of the year, including several orchard plant lice, namely, the apple 

 aphis, oat aphis {Aphis avence), and rosy aphis {A. sorbi). The new peach 

 pest Lnspeyresia molesta, which has appeared in three localities on the western 

 shore of Chesapeake Bay but not as yet on the eastern shore, codling moth, 

 striped turnip flea-beetle {Phyllotreta vittata), cabbage worms {Pieris rapot 

 and Plusia brassicw), garden flea hopper {Haltictis citri), strawberry leaf 



