ENTOMOLOGY. 483 



of Podocarpus. The fungus, which greatly resembles T. ethacelica, the cause of the 

 so-called pineapple disease of sugar cane, lias been given the name T.podqcarpi. 

 The organism has been cultivated on a number of different media and its chief char- 

 acteristics are described. 



Report of the botanist, 1902, W. A. Buckhout {Pennsylvania Dept. Agr. lijit. 

 1903, i>ii. 2W-222). — The principal inquiries of the botanist during the year reported 

 upon were in relation to weeds and weed eradication. 



In addition a number of plant diseases were investigated, and a brief account is 

 given of a disease of ornamental white birch, which was accompanied by an abundant 

 exudation of red or brown slime that had a very offensive odor. Diseases of this 

 kind have been known in Europe, but they seem to be imperfectly understood. 

 They appear to be the result of some mechanical injury, but sometimes occur where 

 there is apparently no definite cause. Without having more information the author 

 did not feel warranted in making recommendations for treatment. 



Plant diseases in Denmark, 1903, E. Rostrup i Tidsskr. Landbr. Plant'eavl, 11 

 (1904), ]>p- 395-424)- — The report contains the usual review of plant diseases appear- 

 ing in Denmark during the year 1903. 



Plant pathological experimental work and its aims, F. K. Ravn ( Tidsskr. 

 Landbr. Plantead, 11 (1904), pp- 376-394). — An address delivered before the Royal 

 Agricultural Society of Denmark, with discussion. 



ENTOMOLOGY. 



Report of the entomologist, J. B. Smith [New Jersey Shts. Rpt. 1903, pp. 557-659, 

 figs. 32). — A marked decrease in the numbers of insects injurious to asparagus was 

 noted during the year under report. An account is presented of various plant lice 

 injurious to shade trees, ornamental plants, fruits, and garden vegetables. The San 

 Jose scale still requires more time and energy for its control than all other orchard 

 pests combined. While the insect occurs on many forest trees the author has not 

 observed serious infestations on such trees. In one locality the San Jose scale was 

 attacked by the fungus Sphserostilbe coccophila. Notes are also presented on a number 

 of other scale insects, leaf hoppers, ladybirds, codling moth, nut weevils, household 

 insects, and pests of potato, tomato, and cabbage. 



The author states that the Chinese mantid has apparently become well established 

 in various parts of New Jersey, but is nowhere very numerous. The Chinese lady- 

 bird still maintains itself in small numbers, but it can not yet be stated definitely that 

 it will thrive under outdoor conditions. One serious parasite of this insect was n< ited 

 and was identified as Syntomosphyrum esurus. Kerosene emulsion with milk or soap 

 is no longer used extensively. Crude oil is still employed where it is most effective, 

 but in a somewhat limited way as compared with previous years. 



Lime-sulphur-salt wash is gaining in popularity. The author recommends a for- 

 mula containing 50 lbs. each of lime, sulphur, and salt per 150 gal. of water. Some 

 success has been had in the preparation of this mixture without boiling. In such 

 cases some form of caustic potash or soda is used. Calcothion was used with quite 

 satisfactory results, but the effects were somewhat irregular. A detailed account is 

 given of insecticide operations in the author's experiment orchard. 



The economic relation of birds to agriculture is discussed at s< une length, and atten- 

 tion is called to the fact that the beneficial effects of birds in the destruction of 

 injurious insects have been frequently overestimated. In discussing the robin, the 

 author states that "there is not a single species [of insect] of economic importance 

 eaten by the bird which can not be easily kept in check by the horticulturist." A 

 report is also made on a mosquito investigation in New Jersey. The migrating habit 

 of Ciilr.r sollicitans has been fully demonstrated. 



