54 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.40 



The pine blister rust, H. T. Fernald (Mo. Bui. Cal. Com. Hort., 1 (1918), Xo. 

 7, pp. 451-458, figs. 2). — This is a discussion of the possibilities connected with 

 the introduction to the western five-leaved pines of the blister rust, which has 

 not yet been found west of the Federal quarantine line established along the 

 western boundaries of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana. 



Preventive measures against black thread (Phytophthora faberi), H. C. 

 Pratt {Trop. Agr. [Ceylon], 48 {1911), So. 5, pp. 304-306).— This is a short 

 preliminary note on black thread of Hevea as to its causal fungus (P. faberi), 

 its effects, its progress, factors affecting it, and remedial measures. 



Wet weather favors the progress of the disease, as do also poor drainage, 

 thick shade, and a low tap cut. Daily disinfection decreases the severity of the 

 attack. Izal, which is available, is said to be an effective fungicide. While 

 a strength of 1:5 is said to burn the delicate tissue on the tapping surface, a 

 strength of 1 : 10 has proved satisfactory. 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY— ENTOMOLOGY. 



Game laws for 1918, G. A. Lawyer and F. L. Earnshaw (!'. fif. Dcpt. Agr., 

 Farmers' Bal. 1010 (1918), pp. 10). — This is the nineteenth annual summary 

 of the provisions of Federal. State, and Provincial statutes. 



Synopsis of the supergeneric groups of rodents, G. S. Miller, jr.. and I. W. 

 Gidley {Jour. Wash. Acid. Sri., 8 (1918), Xo. 13. pp. 431-448).— This is a brief 

 synopsis of the results of a 4-year study of the taxonomy of living and extinct 

 rodents. 



The life history and control of the pocket gopher in the Willamette Valley, 

 H. M. Wight (Oregon Sta. Bui. 153 (1918), pp. 55, figs. 20).— The author first 

 presents a description of Thomomiis bulhivorus and a discussion of its dis- 

 tribution, together with an account of its life history and habits. 



It appears that every crop raised on the farm Is injured in one way or another 

 by this gopher. Clover, alfalfa, and vetch are eaten in large quantities, while 

 a greater amount is undermined <>r dried out from below. The grains, espe- 

 cially when first sprouted, suffer greatly because of mounds and underground 

 burrowing. In some sections the grazing on the hillsides is nearly ruined, the 

 dirt beinu' brought out in such quantities that the grass becomes covered. All 

 root crops are attacked, potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and other garden crops being 

 carried off in large quantities and placed in their store piles. It is also a very 

 severe menace to the fruit industry, the roots of apple, cherry, nut, and many 

 other trees affording the gopher an opportunity to gather a large amount of 

 material without extending his burrow very far. Lata, based on a questionnaire, 

 show an estimated total annual loss from this source in the Willamette Valley 

 of a million and a half dollars. 



During the course of control work particular attention was given to the 

 determination of the preferred food, the results of which are given in tabular 

 form. In feeding experiments carried on with 60 different foods, dandelion was 

 the food chosen most frequently, regardless of any habits the gopher may have 

 previously formed; a consistent study has shown the dandelion to lie most fre- 

 quency found in the nest, in the runways, or being gathered at the surface. 



In the selection of a spreader for the preparation of dandelion as a gopher 

 bait Irish moss was chosen, since it is taken readily by the pocket gopher, has 

 excellent spreading power, possesses strong adhesiveness, is readil] soluble in 

 wate.r, dries quickly, is very inexpensive, and is kept in stock by nearly every 

 standard drug store. In search for a poison 3 gm. of strychnin sulphate in l.i*X"> 

 cc. of water proved to be the best concentration of the poison, for while in 

 individual cases it is stronger than is necessary, it was found that weaker solu- 



