466 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



emulsion of carbon bisulphid, lime water, and carbonate of soda; 

 pyrethrum-soap solutions, a mixture of 15 per cent pyretbrum and 85 

 per cent sulpbosteatite, and another of 50 kg. of quicklime, 50 of sul- 

 phur, and 3 of pyretbrum used as a powder. Tbe insects specially noted 

 are tbe "pyrale" (CEnophtira plUeriana), "lethre" (Anomala vitis), 

 "attelabe" (Bhinchites conicus), "banneton 1 ' (Melolontha vulgaris), tbe 

 " cousi-cousi " or " Porte-selle de Beziers" (Ephippigera bitteriensis), tbe 

 " cochylis " (E. roserana), u erinose " (Phytoptus vitis), " escargot " (Helix 

 pomatia), "altise de la vigne" (Altica oleracea), and tbe "ecrivain" 

 (Eumolpus ritis). 



Calcium carbid as a phylloxeracide, E. Chuard (Chron. Agr. 

 Canton Vaud, 10 (1897), N~o. 10, pp. 275-279).— It is -here noted that tbe 

 gas evolved by this substance upon the application of water or in the 

 presence of moisture has been used in several places as an insecticide, 

 notably against tbe white grubs. Experiments are noted in which 50 gm. 

 of the carbid was placed in pots containing worms and somewhat 

 successful results obtained. In such pots the plants were vigorous 

 and green, while in control experiments they had a miserable appear- 

 ance. It is also noted that Dupertius employed the substance against 

 the phylloxera; that the author buried 100 gm. near tbe base of the 

 vines in the vineyard with good results. In Dupertius's experiment 

 102 plants were treated, but inasmuch as on 34 stocks no phylloxera 

 were found, the results are not of the highest value. The author notes 

 that tbe gas emitted by the carbid is impure; that 100 parts of the 

 carbid give besides acetylene from 0.24 to 0.4 parts of ammonia; from 

 0.7 to 0.9 parts sulphureted hydrogen; and from 0.018 to 0.032 pbos- 

 phureted hydrogen. To these is due the odor and the toxic qualities 

 of the acetylene. 



Notes on the properties and the employment as an insecti- 

 cide of calcium phospho-carbid, E. Chuard (Chron. Agr. Canton 

 Vaud, 10 (1897), No. 16, pp. 427-436). — This compound, we are told, is 

 made like the ordinary calcium carbid, but with the addition of calcium 

 phosphate. In appearance it is similar to the ordinary carbid, compact, 

 bard, of a dark-gray color, deliquesces rapidly, leaving a light-gray or 

 yellowish-white powder. The essential difference between calcium 

 carbid and the new compound lies in the nature of the gas liberated. 

 While the former in the air emits but a faint abaceous odor of impure 

 acetylene, the phospho-carbid emits a strong, disagreeable odor of phos- 

 phureted hydrogen. If water is added to it in sufficient amount, gas 

 is given off so rapidly that it spontaneously ignites, but this does not 

 happen when the compound decomposes slowly. Hence in the dry or 

 humid temperature of ordinary weather it may be managed without 

 danger. Experiments with the carbid are noted and shown to be 

 somewhat unsatisfactory. But with tbe phospho-carbid there is a 

 larger amount of gas given off with the acetylene, and when placed in 

 the ground by the side of the vine it is given off with sufficient slow- 



