576 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



containing Lime and sulphur gave good results, but compounds without these mate- 

 rials were uniformly unsatisfactory. It was Eound that when the washes were boiled 

 for 30 to 35 minutes the compound was as effective as where the mixtures were 



boiled for an hour or more. 



A series of experiments was also carried out in testing summer washes. The auth >rs 

 used a great variety of these washes, including various forms of kerosene emulsion, 

 soap solutions, and proprietary mixtures. Of the various mixtures used none gave 

 promising results. Even kerosene emulsion was not effective. The authors, there- 

 fore, discourage summer treatment and recommend that the fruit grower apply his 

 remedies in winter. 



The mixtures especially recommended for winter application are 3 in number and 

 are prepared as follows: No. 1 contains 21 lbs. of lime and 18 lbs. of sulphur per 50 

 gal. of water. No. 2 is prepared in the same manner with the addition of 5 lbs. of 

 salt per each 50 gal. of water. No. 3 contains 16 lbs. of lime and 8 lbs. each of sul- 

 phur and commercial caustic soda per 50 gal. of water. The authors recommend that 

 the first application be made in December and that spraying should be completed 

 before the buds begin to open. Some experiences were bad in dipping trees before 

 planting in a lime-sulphur wash, but peach trees thus treated were considerably 

 injured and the practice is therefore not recommended. 



The most important step in the cultural system of controlling the boll 

 weevil, W. D. Hunter (U. S. Dept. Agr., Bureau of Entomology (.'ire 56, pp. 7). — 

 The agitation in favor of an early crop of cotton for the prevention of boll weevil 

 injury has been actively carried on by the Department. The matter of obtaining an 

 early crop, however, is considered secondary in importance to the destruction of 

 cotton plants in the field during the fall. 



The author mentions 4 reasons why cotton plants should be destroyed in the fall: 

 The fall destruction of cotton plants prevents the development of many weevils 

 which would otherwise become adult within a few weeks of the time of hibernation. 

 This process will also destroy a great majority of the weevils which have already 

 become adult. The only weevils which survive the winter are those which become 

 adult late in the season. The clearing of the cotton field in the fall permits the 

 practice of fall plowing. 



As a result of the general study of this problem the author recommends the pas- 

 sage of laws regulating the fall destruction of cotton plants in the fields. This 

 method of control is believed to be the most effective one for actually reducing the 

 numbers of the weevil. 



The cotton boll weevil {Trop. Agr., 24 {1904), No. 4, />. £28). — Mention is made 

 of cultural methods in their relation to the prevention of injury by the cotton boll 

 weevil. It is claimed that when the cotton is sprayed with a solution of sulphate of 

 copper at the rate of 2\ lbs. per 40 gal. of water a sufficient quantity of this substance 

 is absorbed to kill the cotton boll weevil when it attempts to feed upon the boll. 

 This method of treatment is estimated to c< >st about 15 to 20 cents per acre. 



Some further comments on the Guatemalan boll-weevil ant, W. M. Wheeler 

 {Science, n. ser., 20 {1904), No. 518, pp. 766-768).— This is a controversial article, in 

 which the author argues that the Guatemalan ant is not an aggressive species anil is 

 not likely to prove of any great importance in controlling the boll weevil. 



The pea weevil; its development and methods of combating it, M. J. Rivera 

 {El bruco de las arvejas {Bruchus pisi) desarrollo y medios de combatirlo. Valparaiso: 

 TnstUuto Agricola, 1904, pp. 20, fig*. 6). — This insect is described in its various stages, 

 and notes are given on its distribution and host plants. Among the remedies recom- 

 mended in controlling it mention is made of the application of heat to seed peas and 

 fumigation with carbon bisulphid and hydrocyanic-acid gas. 



The cabbage moth (Mamestra brassicae) ( Bd. Agr. and Fisheries [London], 

 Leaflet 109>pp. 4, Jigs. £). — This pest is described and notes are given on its habits 



