664 ' EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



When to apply Bordeaux mixture, G. Quinn {Jour. Agr. and Ind. South Aus- 

 tralia, 5 {1901), No. 1, pp. 18-22, Jigs. 5). — Gives formulas for preparation of Bordeaux 

 mixture, and for spraying peaches, pears, apples, and similar fruit recommends first 

 application before the buds begin to swell. Later sprayings with more dilute mix- 

 tures should follow. 



A lime and soap fungicide, Mancheron {Rev. Vit., 16 {1901), No. 401, p. 208). — 

 Describes the preparation of a dilute Bordeaux mixture to which soap is added. The 

 lime is said to be held in suspension in very fine particles, and the fungicide does not 

 color fruit to any appreciable extent. 



Crystallized and powdered copper sulphate, P. Pacottet and A. Lievke {Rev. 

 Vit., 16 {1901), No. 400, p. 179). — The difficulty of dissolving the crystallized copper 

 sulphate is pointed out, and it is stated that 2 forms of powdered copper sulphate are 

 on the French market, one which is evidently crushed crystals, the other apparently 

 crystallized from solutions which are agitated continiially. Analyses show the latter 

 varies considerably, some specimens containing as much as 10 per cent iron sulphate. 



ENTOMOLOGY. 



Some miscellaneous results of the work of the Division of Entomology 



{V. S. Dept. Agr., Division of Entomology Bid. 30, n. set-., pp. 98, pis. 2, figs. 29).— The 

 differential grasshopper in the Mississip2n Delta; other common species, H. A. Morgan 

 {pp. 7-33). — In Bolivar County, Miss., a large territory was flooded in 1897, and the 

 flood prevented the planting of this area during that season. Weeds flourished in 

 this locality to an unusual extent, and when the area was planted in 1898 grass- 

 hoppers were present in considerable numbers and attacked cotton. In 1899 the 

 grasshoppers attacked cultivated plants in this region to an extent which constituted 

 a plague. An investigation of the conditions surrounding this outbreak was made 

 by the author. It was found that the eggs were deposited from July 20 to October 

 1, the number of eggs in each sac ranging from 103 to 132. The eggs were deposited 

 in ditch banks, plantation roads, upon levees, around stumps and logs, and even in 

 the logs. It was believed by some of the settlers in that locality that areas which 

 had been flooded and left uncultivated were much frequented by the grasshoppers for 

 the purpose of laying eggs. The eggs began hatching about the middle of April, and 

 the entire life history of the grasshoppers, minus the time required for incubation, 

 was 119 days. The young were observed to remain after hatching for several hours 

 close to the egg pod from which they had emerged. Experiments were tried in per- 

 fecting remedies for use against this grasshopper. Thorough cultivation was found 

 by laboratory tests and field observations to be an effective method for breaking 

 open the egg pods and exposing the eggs to climatic changes. Winter cultivation of 

 the soil was therefore advised where practicable. Spraying with a 12 per cent kero- 

 sene emulsion at least once a day was very effective when applied upon the egg beds 

 at about the time of hatching. Another effective method was found in damming 

 water in ditches, covering the surface with kerosene oil or kerosene emulsion, and 

 driving the grasshoppers into the ditches. Where hopperdozers could not be used 

 successfully it was found that good effects were secured from dragging tarred sheets 

 over infested country. The young were thus captured and destroyed. Experiments 

 with the South African fungus showed that where a solution of this fungus was 

 spread out, diseased grasshoppers were abundant. Another grasshopper {Schistocerca 

 obscura) was not affected by this fungus. Experiments in the use of acid phosphate, 

 lime, kainit, and other substances to check the march of the grasshoppers proved the 

 ineffectiveness of these substances. Among the natural enemies of the grasshopper 

 mention may be made of the locust mite, blister beetle, Helicohia helicis, Sarcophaga 

 spp., Scelio hyalinipennis, and S. a'dipodie. Notes are given also on the occurrence 



