1(\2 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Spraying crops, S. T. Maynard and Ci. A. Drew {Massachmetls Hatch Sta. Bui. 

 7S pp. .9-i5).— The chief insecticides used during the year were Paris green, arsenate 

 <)f'lea(i, arsenic and lime, and kerosene emulsions. The principal fungicides were 

 r,ordeaux mixture and a simple solution of copper sulphate. Insecticides were in 

 most instances combined with Bordeaux mixture. For spraying apple trees to 

 comhat insect and fungus pests, Paris green was used at the rate of \ lb. to 50 gal. of 

 Bordeaux mixture. Arsenate of lead was found to be a better insecticide for use 

 upon the plum. P^xperiments for testing possible injury to the foliage of peaches, 

 cherries, and Japanese plums showed that the foliage of these trees was injured 

 somewhat by green arsenoid and insect green, but not l)y arsenate of leax^l. Brief 

 notes are given on desirable pumps and nozzles. 



The poisonous property of a solution of nicotin and its use in the destruc- 

 tion of insects, (t. dkl Guercio {Nuove Relaz. R. Staz. Ent. Agr., 1. ser., WOO, No. 

 S, pp. n4-l.U).— The observations reported in this paper were made on experiments 

 with the larvic of the silkworm. Preliminary experiments in spraying these larvse 

 with distilled water showed that they were not disturbed by such treatment. Spray- 

 ing with solutions of various strengths of nicotin caused convulsive movements of the 

 larva? within a short time, which caused them to fall from the plants, with death as 

 a result in the majority of cases. The author believes that solutions of nicotin act 

 poisonously upon insects by means of vapors, and that these vapors, even in minute 

 quantity, cause irritation, convulsive movements, and ultimate falling of the larvaj 

 from infested plants. Brief notes are given on the comparative effects of pure nico- 

 tin, nicotin rendered alkaline and acidulated, and nicotin mixed with soap solution. 

 The treatment with a mixture of 1 part nicotin, 15 to 25 parts soap, and 2,000 parts 

 of water, caused complete paralysis of the caterpillars, which lasted for 24 hours. 



The use of carbon bisulphid in horticulture, V. Vekmorel {Emploi du .mlfure 

 de curlxjiic m horticulture. Vlllefranche [Pjinm): Lihniiric du Progres agricole et vitlcolc, 

 1901, pp. S9, fign. 4). — The author experimented with bisulphid of carbon in the 

 destruction of white grubs {Meloloniha vulgaris). It was found that 300 kg. per hec- 

 tare or 30 gm. per square meter gave very satisfactory results in combating these 

 insects. It is necessary to apply the remedy in May soon after the eggs are dei)os- 

 ited and while the larvse are in the younger stages. 



Similar results were obtained in using bisulphid of carbon in com])ating the mole 

 cricket ( Gryllotalpa vulgaris). The insecticide was applied in the same proportions 

 and was found to be the only remedy which would effectively destroy these insects 

 in the soil. Good results were obtained in fighting rats, moles, and various injurious 

 insects by means of carbon bisulphid. The author discusses in considerable detail 

 the nature and action of bisulphid of carbon, and the apparatus by means of which 

 it. can most conveniently lie applied. 



Tree fumigation in California, C. P. Lounsbury {Agr. Jour. Cape Good Hope, 

 IS {1901), No. 1, pp. 210-223, figs. 4). — This article contains a general description of 

 the apparatus and formulfe used in fumigating trees with hydrocyanic-acid gas. 



Report of the inspector of fumigation appliances, W. Lochhead ( Toronto: 

 L. K. Cayneron, 1901, pp. 1.5, figs. 7). — An act requiring fumigation of nurserj' .stock 

 was put into force in the spring of 1899. Fumigation houses and })oxes were made 

 and tested, and such as were too hurriedly constructed showed a leakage of gas and 

 had to be repaired. Copies are given of the regulations and instructions for the 

 fumigation of nursery stock, and a detailed account is presented of the equipment 

 necessary for fumigation and the formulas used. A brief discussion is given of the 

 effect of gas treatment on nursery stock. The tender terminals of peach stock were 

 not affecrted until nearly double the normal dose of cyanid of potash was used for a 

 1-hour exposure. Apple trees withstood exposure to 6 times the normal dose, plums 

 3 times, and pears 3 to 4 times. Detailed directions are given for making boxes 

 suitable for fumigating small lots of nursery stock and for the construction of fumi- 

 gation houses. 



