ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY ENTOMOLOGY. 853 



ami rod locust during 1907-8 in the various districts of the Transvaal, accom- 

 jtanied l)y maps showing the areas infested. 



Treatment of cotton pests in the West Indies in 1907, H. A. Ballou 

 (West Indian Bid., 9 (1908), Xo. 3, pp. 235-2 '{2, figs. iO).— The attacks by 

 Alabama aifjiUaccn were very severe during the year, except in St. Vincent, 

 where it appeared for the first time. On this island the Jack Spaniard iPo- 

 listcs annularis) proved a satisfactory check, while Calosoma caliduin was also 

 of considerable benefit. The smaller cotton worm (Alctia luridula) was the 

 prevailing pest in certain fields in Barbados and was also found in Antigua. 

 llcliothis obsolrta occurred in greater numbers than in previous years and 

 threatened to become a serious pest on a few estates in Barbados and Antigua. 

 The corn eai'worm ( Laphi/ffnia frugiprnla) attacked cotton bolls to some extent 

 on a few estates. 



Aphids were abundant in certain localities in Barbados. Ladybirds and the 

 lace-wing fly, though abundant in most parts of the island, were lacking in 

 others or not sufficiently abundant to prevent damage by this pest. Cut- 

 worms (Prodenia spp. ) were less injurious than in previous years. l*oisou Ijait 

 made of bran. Paris green, and molasses gave good i-esults. Cotton stainers 

 (DysdcrcKs spp.) were not a serious pest generally during the season, although 

 very abundant and injurious on a few estates. The practice of collecting and 

 killing them was a sufficient check. 



The leaf blister-mite (Eriophyes gossypii) though present in nearly every 

 cotton field in the island did not cause as much injury as formerly. Sulphur 

 and lime gave good results. The red maggot (Porrichondyla gossypii) was 

 not reported as doing great damage. The only remedy practiced is that of 

 rutting out attacked stems and branches. The cotton black scale (Saissctia 

 nigra) was a serious pest, but the native parasite, Zaiophotlirix miruni, has been 

 increasing in abundance during the past 2 years and it is hoped that it may 

 lirove an cllieient check. 



The boll-weevil problem, with special reference to means of reducing 

 damag-e, AV. D. Hunter (U. 8. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bill. SJ/J/, pp. 4S, figs. 9). — 

 This is a summary account of the practical results obtained from investigations 

 of the cotton boll weevil by the Bureau of Entomology of this Department and 

 is intended to supersede Farmers' Bulletin 216, previously noted (E. S. K., 16, p. 

 991). Special attention is given to the life history and habits of the i)est. 

 The methods of conti-ol, which are described in detail, are summarized as fol- 

 lows : 



"Destroy the vast majority of weevils in the fall by uprooting and burning 

 the plants. This is the all-important step. It results in the death of millions 

 of weevils. It insures a crop for the following season. 



"Destroy also many weevils that have survived the preceding operation and 

 are found in the cott(m fields and along the hedgerows, fences, and buildings. 

 This is done by clearing the places referred to thoroughly. 



"As far as possil)le. locate the fields in situations where damage will be 

 avoided. This can not be done in all cases l)ut can frequently be done to good 

 advantage. 



"Prepare the land early and thoroughly in. order to obtain an early croi). 

 This means fall plowing and winter working of the land. 



" Provide wide rows, and plenty of space between the rows and the plants in 

 the drill, for the assistance of the natural enemies of the wet>vil. which do more 

 against the i)est than tlie farmer can do hims<^lf by ;iny known means. Check- 

 rowing, wherever practicaltle. is an exc«''llent practice. 



■• Insure an early crop l»y early planting of early-maturing varieties, and by 

 fertilizing wliere necessary. 



