314 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Considerat)le attention was^ given to a general (li«cutf.-^ion of the yelhjw-fever prob- 

 lem, with special reference to the agency of Stegomyia faaciata in carrying the dis- 

 ease, the habits and life history of this mosquito, its location in different parts of the 

 world, and the means of destroying it. 



The general sul)ject of disinfectants was discussed and attention was called to the 

 importance of killing insects in infected premises as a part of the process of disinfec- 

 tion after the prevalence of infectious diseases. Steam, formalin, liot carl)onate of 

 soda, and tobacco were reconnnended, and also hydrocyanic-acid gas. The latter 

 has proved very effective in the destruction of bedbugs, cockroaches, nujsquitoes, 

 fleas, rats, and mice. Ciuite striking differences were reported in the resisting power 

 of different insects and animals to this gas. For most insects it was recommended 

 that 20 gm. of potassium cyanid be used per cubic meter of space. Certain enamel 

 paints have been found to possess a considerable germicidal power which persists for 

 a long period. 



?Iavana, Cuba, was chosen as the next place of meeting, and the following officers 

 were elected: President, C. J. Finlay; first vice-president, J. R. Monjaras; second 

 vice-president, W. C. Woodward; treasurer, F. W. Wright; and secretary, C. O. Probst. 



New Experiment Station in the Philippine Islands. — Press reports state that Governor 

 Taft has issued a i)roclaniation setting aside Government land adjacent to the towns 

 of Trinidad and Baguio, in the province of Benguet, for an experiment station. This 

 action is in accordance with the recommendations of Prof. F. L. Scribner in his 

 report last year. Attention has repeatedly been called to the exceptionally fine 

 climate and other natural advantages of this province, which make it well suited to 

 the growing of a great variety of agricultural plants. An especially fine coffee is 

 produced there, the bushes coming into bearing in 3 years. Professor Scribner 

 says: "In the gardens of the governor of the province one sees healthy coffee trees 

 loaded with berries, vigorous growing tea plants, hothouse gardenia, caladiums, 

 dracsenas, frangi pani, and mango trees, all plants of the Tropics; also phila tree 

 ferns, scarlet hibiscus, passion fruit, begonias, hydrangeas, and many others of the 

 subtropical regions, while near by are potatoes and other garden vegetables, monthly 

 roses and pines, strictly plants of the temperate zone. Probal)ly in no other part 

 of the world could there be grown side by side the gorgeous vegetation of the Tropics 

 and the pines of temperate regions, orchards of coffee, celery, and Irish potatoes." 



Lord Rosebery's Experiment Station at Dalmeny Park. — It appears from information 

 furnislied l)y Mr. I). W. May that the Earl of Kosebery has for several years main- 

 tained a private experiment station at his estate of Dalmeny Park, 6 miles from Edin- 

 burgh. The experiments are carried on in the interest of the estate, which comprises 

 about 6,000 acres. The work is mainly of a quite practical character and is carried 

 on by the men in charge of the various departments, no trained specialists being 

 employed. Experiments are made with fertilizers for different crops, especially in 

 the use of lime and in studying the residual effects of fertilizers. The combating of 

 plant diseases also receives attention. Plant selection is practiced, especially with 

 the potato to develop varieties, as the whole crop of potatoes is sold for seed. Con- 

 siderable work is done in feeding cattle for the market and in crossing Aberdeen 

 Angus and Galloway with the Shorthorn, pure-bred stock being used in all cases. 

 While not of a scientific character, the results of the station's work have proved very 

 helpful as a guide to good practice. No publications are issued. 



Improvement of Agriculture in Bombay. — An influentially signed memorial on the 

 subject of the improvement of agriculture was recently sent to the government of 

 Bombay, and is summarized by Nature from the Pioneer Mail. The memorialists 

 propose that two botanic gardens should be established, one at Poona and one near 

 Bombay, the former as the center of investigation for the Deccan, and the latter for 

 the Konkan and ( lujarat. Each garden should be provided with a herbai'ium and 



