2G6 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



is becoiniii^ (luitc mimerous in the State, especially in tlie western 

 half, wlieie it is i)eihaps the most coiunioii insect. 



lu a discussiou of tlie paper, speaking of the white fun<;us disease, 

 Prof. Bruuer stated that, although in dry seasons it was slow in 

 destroying tlie bugs, it liad been proved an indisputable fact that 

 uiider favorable moist conditions it was a very effective aid in their 

 destruction. The action of the disease was discussed, and the joint 

 em])loyment of agricultural methods was also urged. The hibernation 

 of the chinch bugs was spoken of, and Prof. Osborn stated that he had 

 found them wintering in bunch grasses, osage hedges, under the bark 

 of trees, and in straw stacks, whence they emerged on warm days in 

 winter to bask in the sunshine. Prof. Bruner said that the box-elder 

 bug is becoming very abundant in Nebraska, where it attacks other 

 plants, and frequently gets into greenhouses. 



A ])aper on '^ The economic value of parasitism," by Prof. F. M. Web- 

 ster, of Ohio, was read by the acting secretary. The writer maintained 

 that only in very rare cases do the parasites fail to control an undue 

 increase of injurious insects. The parasites increase with their hosts, 

 altliough a little later, and thus maintain the balance. Tn support of the 

 argument instances were given of devastations of the wheat midge being 

 checked by Coccinellidce and Telephoridw, of Mytilaspis pinifolkv and 

 Pulviudria innumerahiUs by Chiloconis hirulneris, t\w grain aphis by 

 its hynienopterous parasites, and the clover-leaf Aveevil {l*Jiyto>iomus 

 punctalns) hy the fungus disease Untomophtliora si)h(vros])erma. It 

 was urged that the assistance of the parasites should be recognized by 

 entomoh)gists and such remedial treatment employed as would not 

 interfere with their action. 



In the section on horticulture and botany the first i^aper was by 

 Prof. H. X. Starnes, of Georgia, on "Theproper position of hybrids inthe 

 classification of American grapes." A classification is proposed, divid- 

 ing all sorts of grapes into 7 series or species, and all native subspecies 

 are to be considered as varieties, the mother plant determining the 

 series of the hybrid. The vineyard in charge of the author is arranged 

 according to this classification. Prof. Lazenby suggested that similar 

 investigations should be carried on in respect to the classification of 

 hybrius among ]»lums and other fruits. Prof Burrill suggested that 

 more of botany and the. methods of botanists should be used by horti- 

 culturists in their description of varieties. 



Prof. i^. S. Gofif's paper on '• Plant breeding at experiment stations" 

 was read by the secretary. The author made a strong plea for the 

 origination of new varieties at the experiment stations, and stated that 

 it was his conviction that important results must follow from plant breed- 

 ing. The author's oi)inions were heartily concurred in by the section. 

 Prof. Tracy suggested that selection was equally as important as cross- 

 ing in the securing of new varieties, and he thought that variation as 

 infiuenced by environment will determine the varieties desirable for 



