70 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Notes on recent experiences with dry rot, J. Hunter (Trans, and Proc. Bot. 

 Soc. Edinburgh, .'.' I 1908), pt. ?, pp. 106-109) .—Notes are given on observations regard- 

 ing the dry-rot fungus Merufius lttrr;/)iimi.s and the effect of copper sulphate upon the 

 mycelium of the fungus. A warning is given against the use of imperfectly seasoned 

 timber and the inclosing of timber where good ventilation is impossible. 



ENTOMOLOGY. 



Proceedings of the sixteenth annual meeting of the Association of Eco- 

 nomic Entomologists (U. S. Dept. Agr., Division of Entomology Bui. 46, pp. US, 

 pis. 2, fig. 1). — At this meeting, which was held at St. Louis, Mo., December 29-31, 

 1903, a number of papers were presented, the majority of which have already been 

 noted (E. S. R., 15, pp. 545-548). The following notes refer to papers which have 

 not been previously abstracted: 



J. S. Hine presented some observations on the Tabanidse (pp. 23-25). Different 

 species of Tabanida? are found to have different egg-laying habits, some of which 

 suggest an easy means of extermination. The egg masses of Tabanus Irimaculatus and 

 T. stygius were so large and conspicuous that it was found possible to collect 60,000 

 eggs in one hour. This is suggested as a possible method of controlling these pests. 

 The last named species was found to deposit its eggs almost exclusively on the leaves 

 of sagittaria. 



Ravages of grasshoppers on the ranches of Montana were discussed by R. A. Cooley 

 (pp. 41-43). The grasshoppers did most damage along the Yellowstone River between 

 Miles City and Big Timber. In some places the grass was so completely destroyed 

 that ranchers were forced to sell their stock. Not a single specimen of the Rocky 

 Mountain locust could be found. The most common species were Aulocara elliotti, 

 Melanoplus ailanis, and Camnula pellucida. The use of contagious diseases in con- 

 trolling grasshoppers was tried without satisfactory results. 



H. Osborn strongly urged the desirability of greater stability in nomenclature (pp. 

 56-59). The speaker suggested the appointment of a committee to correspond with 

 entomologists and prepare a list of preferred names for 300 of the most common 

 species of injurious insects. 



C. V. Piper gave an account of the injuries to the range from Peranabrus scabricollis 

 (pp. 60, 61). This insect was stated to be injurious to range grasses and wheat in 

 Douglas County. The pest can apparently be successfully controlled by ditching 

 and fencing. Attempts to inoculate wdth the South African mueor were fruitless. 



VY. Newell presented notes on the insects of Georgia for 1903 (pp. 103-105). Par- 

 ticular mention was made of peach borer, fruit-tree bark-beetle, cotton caterpillar, 

 chinch bug, Hessian fly, Mexican boll weevil, and Chilocorus similis. The last-named 

 species was obtained from the Division of Entomology of this Department and was 

 said to have increased rapidly. 



VY. C. Britton (pp. 105-107) gave economic and biological notes on green-pea louse, 

 apple plant-louse, pear psylla, onion thrips, asparagus bettles, tent caterpillar, and 

 European mantis. 



C. M. Weed presented an account of the brown-tail moth in New Hampshire (pp. 

 107,108). The region about Newburyport was said to be quite generally infested. 

 Notes are also given on the food plants of this insect. The same author described 

 some experiments carried out by A. F. Conradi in exterminating black flies (pp. 

 108, 109). It was found that the larvae of these insects could readily be destroyed by 

 pouring phinotas oil into the water in which they were living. This oil is heavy and 

 comes in contact with the larva? on the rocks. It was also found possible to brush 

 the larva? from the rocks by stiff brooms and catch them in fine wire screening. 



