ENTOMOLOGY. 71 



The insect is briefly described and its life history and methods of 

 treatment discussed. The most successful remedies noted are dry 

 wood ashes, air-slacked lime, Paris green mixed with plaster, pyrethrum, 

 and tobacco dust. 



The New York plum lecanium (Lecanium, sp.) (pp. 574-595). — This 

 insect was first noticed in injurious numbers in the western portion of 

 the State early in the season of 1894. It was found most abundant upon 

 plum trees. Recent literature concerning- this insect in New York, 

 its winter appearauce, distribution in the United States, its food plants, 

 its injuries to trees and fruit, its life history and habits, enemies, and 

 experiments with remedies, are noted. 



As to the specific name of the scale, 2 names (cerasifex and juglandis, 

 Bouche) were given by 2 different entomologists to whom the same 

 scale was sent. It is referred to as prunastri Fonc. by another entomol- 

 ogist (E. S. R., 7, p. 514). 



In the experiments the attempt was made to determine the relative 

 value of different strengths of kerosene emulsion, made according to the 

 usual formula, when applied in winter when the young scales were 

 hibernating, applied in the spring while the scales were growing, and 

 applied on newly hatched scales. As a result of these winter experi- 

 ments, in which the emulsion was used in strengths ranging from 1 in 

 4 to 1 in 12, it was found that soon after the application the scales 

 began to turn to a light yellowish-brown color, to shrivel up, and drop 

 off easily. This condition was most noticeable where the emulsion had 

 been used diluted with 4 to parts of water. In December it was esti- 

 mated that 90 per cent of the insects had been killed by the emulsion 

 employed in these strengths. In 2 spring experiments the emulsion 

 was diluted with 15 and with 9 parts of water. The weaker solution 

 had no effect, and very slight effects, if any, followed the application of 

 the stronger solution. In the summer, in one experiment kerosene 

 emulsion diluted with parts of water was employed ; in the winter a 

 resin wash made according to directions given in Farmers' Bulletin No. 

 19, p. 13, was employed. In September, when the trees were examined, 

 it was found that both solutions had killed about 80 per cent of the 

 scales. 



The authors conclude that inasmuch as it costs from 0.2 to 0.7 cent 

 per tree, the kerosene emulsion is the cheapest and most practical 

 remedy, and that the best time for spraying is during the winter, when 

 a solution not weaker than 1 in 4 or 1 in 6 should be employed. For 

 spring spraying, the solution should not be weaker than 1 in 9. 



The use of a power sprayer is not thought advisable. 



Preliminary reports of experiments with the potato flea beetle (Crepido- 

 dera cucumeris) (pp. 59G, 597). — Eight experiments were made in which 

 different mixtures and strengths of Paris green, a solution of Paris 

 green and whale oil soap, a soap pyrethrum solution, a solution of 1 per 

 cent of lysol, a tobacco decoction, and Bordeaux mixture were employed. 

 The experiments were discontinued before final results could be obtained. 



