372 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The greenhouse leaf tier {Phlyctxnia rubigalif) is reported as injurious to all sorts 

 of greenhouse plants. The caterpillars feed preferably on the underside of the leaves, 

 eating out patches of the leaf tissues and leaving the thin skin on the upper side. 

 The caterpillars require about 20 days in attaining their complete growth and undergo 

 3 molts during that time. The life cycle is passed through in from 44 to 50 days, and 

 there may be 7 or 8 generations every year in greenhouses. This insect is easily 

 transported on greenhouse plants in the egg state or as young caterpillars, and such 

 plants should be examined before being set out in the greenhouse. The moths are 

 somewhat attracted to lights, and lantern traps are recommended in combating 

 them. Fumigation with tobacco was found ineffective. A greenhouse containing 

 3, 000 cubic feet of space was fumigated with hydrocyanic- acid gas at the rate of 1 oz. 

 of cyanid to each 400 ft. of space for about 5 hour. Live moths of the leaf tier kept 

 in a wire cage were not killed by this treatment, and none of the caterpillars or 

 pupfe was affected Vjy it, although considerable damage was done to roses, carna- 

 tions, and other plants. Further experiments with this gas indicated that the green- 

 house leaf tier can not be destroyed without using the gas in a strength which is 

 injurious to the plants. The most practical and thorough method of combating this 

 insect is considered to be hand picking. 



The phylloxera of the vine, F. T. Bioletti ( California Sta. Bui. 131, pp. 16, 

 figs. 4). — A bi-ief historical review is given of the gradual distribution of phylloxem 

 in European countries and its subsequent reimportation into California. The insect 

 has recently appeared in several important crop-growing districts of California, which 

 were previously regarded as exempt from its attacks. The author therefore prepared 

 notes on the life history and habits of the jihylloxera, together with a discussion of 

 the various remedies which have been found most effective in combating the pests. 

 Of these remedies special mention is made of carbon bisulphid, submersion, planting 

 in sand, disinfection of cuttings, and the use of resistant vines. 



Combating' phylloxera in Roumania, G. N. Nicoleaxo {La lutte contre le 

 phylloxera en Eoumaiiie. Bachared: Gon'minent, 1900, pp. 173, figs. 15, map 1). — The 

 author gives an account of the present centers of infection by this insect, experi- 

 ments in treatment with bisulphid of carbon, the spread of the insect, and of the 

 reconstruction of vineyards by the use of American vines and by other methods. 



Catching the moths of Tortrix ambiguella, J. Difouk et.\l. ( Chron. Agr. Canton 

 Vaud, 14 (1901), Xo. S, pp. :i!29-:^37). — This article contains an account of a method 

 adopted for capturing moths of injurious grape caterpillars by means of a racket 

 covered with adhesive substances. These instruments may be successfully manipu- 

 lated by small children which are employed for this purpose in vineyards. The use 

 of this method has given such promising results that it is strongly recommendeil. 



Report on methods of combating Tortrix ambiguella in spring and sum- 

 mer, J. L.VBORDE {Bal. Mia. Agr. {France), 20 {1901), Xo. 1, pp. 112-124).— The 

 author reports a large series of experiments with remedies for destroying this insect, 

 and also Eude.mis botrana. Remedies w'ere tested on all stages of the insect. For 

 destruction of the eggs, sulphuric acid, eau de japelle, soap and turpentine, and soap 

 and petroleum were tested; on the larv&e, soap and nicotine, soap, nicotine and sul- 

 phate of copper, oleic acid, petroleum, bisulphid of carbon and acetic acid, and also 

 various arsenical poisons. The conclusion is drawn from the author's experiments 

 that attention may be most advantageously directed in the winter against the chrysalis 

 and in the spring against the larv;e of the first generation. 



Larkspur and geraniums for grasshoppers, C. Ledwidge {Agr. Gaz. Xetv 

 South Wales, 12 {1901), Xo. 2, pp. 317, Ji^").— Brief observations are given on the 

 poisonous effects of larkspur and red geraniums on grasshoppers. It was noted that 

 grasshoppers died very quickly after eating these plants, but it is not Ijelieved that 

 large swarms of grasshoppers could be checked by this means. 



Spray calendar {Xeiv York Cornell Sta. Bid. 188, pp. 107-116).— A brief discussion 



