1916] ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY — ENTOMOLOGY. 551 



Pathological observations on the chestnut in southern Indiana, J. R. Weir 

 {Ann. Rpt. Ind. Bd. Forestry, 15 (1915), pp. UO-163, figs. S).— The author has 

 investigated the conditions in regard to the chestnut tree in southern Indhina 

 for several years, primarily with reference to the chestnut bark disease, but 

 information is given regarding the presence and habits of a large number of 

 other fungi, mostly saprophytic, on chestnut, the chestnut blight fungus 

 (Endothia parasitica) not having been found by him. A large amount of other 

 information is presented regarding the forest growth. 



The white pine blister rust, P. Spaulding {U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 

 742 {1916), pp. 15: pl. 1, figs. 5). — A popular account is given of the white pine 

 blister rust due to Cronartium ribicola, and the life cycle of the fungus 

 through its host plants, white pines, currants, and gooseberries, is described. 

 This disease, which has been introduced into this country from Europe, has 

 spread rather extensively, 12 distinct new outbreaks having been observed in 

 1915. Suggestions are given for the control of the disease and the need of 

 adequate state laws for its control is pointed out. 



[Root disease of Para rubber], W. H. Johnson {Rpts. Agr. Depts. North, 

 and South. Provs. [Nigeria], 19U, pp. 24, 31). — This report of the director 

 contains an account of an outbreak of root disease in 1914 due almost 

 exclusively to Polyporus lignosus, Hymenochcete noxia having been apparently 

 eliminated by the removal in 1912 of all stumps known to be susceptible 

 thereto. 



A new disease in the Para rubber plantation at Calabar is due to a fungus 

 believed to be Ustulina zonata, which in Ceylon causes a root disease of tea. 

 The necessity for removal of the stumps is indicated. 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY— ENTOMOLOGY. 



A systematic account of the prairie dogs, N. Hollister ( TJ. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Bur. Biol. Survey, North American Fauna No. 40 {1916), pp. 36, pis. 7, figs. 2). — 

 The so-called prairie dogs {Cynomys spp.) are divided into two general classes, 

 (1) the black-tailed prairie dogs which form the subgenus Cynomys, consist- 

 ing of three forms of two species, and (2) the white-tailed prairie dogs which 

 form the subgenus Leucocrossuromys, consisting of four forms of three species. 

 Prairie dogs are distributed over a large part of the Great Plains and Rocky 

 Mountain regions and are of considerable economic importance, due mainly to 

 their destruction of grasses and other forage plants. 



Entomology, A. W. Moreiix {Arizona Sta. Rpt. 1915, pp. 563-565). — The 

 work with the harvester ant {Pogonomyrmex barbata) was continued during 

 the season of 1915. Where 28.5 lbs. of London purple were required per acre 

 in 1914 (E. S. R., 33, p. 57) only 2.5 lbs. were required in 1915 in the work of 

 cleaning up the remnants of the old nests. The experiment shows that when 

 once brought under complete control, the ants can be held to a point where 

 they do no damage at a total cost each year of less than 40 cts. an acre. 



Brief mention is also made of the work with the green June beetle 

 {AUorhina mutabilis) and the clover or alfalfa seed chalcid fly. A trap border 

 experiment with the latter, though carried on under unfavorable conditions, 

 appears to have shown definite results. 



Entomological investigations, 1915, L. Childs {Oregon Sta., Rpt. Hood 

 River Sta., 1915, pp. 47-61, figs. 2). — The investigations here reported relate 

 largely to the fruit tree leaf roller {Archips argyrospila) and to codling moth 

 control work in 1915. 



In experimental control work with A. argyrospila the best results were 

 obtained from the use of lead arsenate at the rate of 6 lbs. to 50 gal. of water. 

 Mlscible oil also gave highly satisfactory results, and while more expensive 



