1090 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The clover-seed chalcis is also described and notes are given on its life history. 

 This pest attacks the seed of red and crimson clover and also alfalfa. It is distrib- 

 uted also from New England to California on the west, and south to Mississippi. 

 Insect enemies capable of controlling the pest are not known. Remedies recom- 

 mended for the clover-flower midge might apply to this insect, and it is also sug- 

 gested to destroy scattering heads of clover together with the chaff and stems after 

 hulling. 



The clover root borer, F. M. Webster ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Ent. Clrc. 67, pp. 

 5, figs. 4). — This insect is a native of Europe and has become generally established 

 in the eastern States. It attracted attention in 1878 in New York and has gradually 

 spread toward the Mississippi River. 



The insect is described in its various stages and notes are given on its life history 

 and food plants. There appears to be but one annual generation. It feeds on red 

 clover and alfalfa as well as other species of clover. Infested clover plants sooner or 

 later die as a result of the attack of this insect. Apparently the only successful way 

 of combating the pest is summer fallowing as soon as the hay crop is removed. 



The tobacco thrips and remedies to prevent "white veins" in wrapper 

 tobacco, W. A. Hooker ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Ent. Circ. 68, pp. 5, figs. 2). — Euthrips 

 nicotianse was described in September, 1905. The insect injures shade-grown cigar- 

 wrapper tobacco in Florida, Georgia, and Texas. 



The removal of the sap from the lateral veins of the leaves causes white streaks 

 when the leaves are cured. This is objectionable from the standpoint of the cigar 

 maker and reduces their value about 50 per cent. The adult insect appears to pass 

 the winter in the tobacco fields. They deposit their eggs in the tissues of the stem 

 and leaves and the young larvae feed on the under surface of the leaves and the adults 

 feed upon the upper surface. In combating this species clean cultivation is recom- 

 mended. The pest appears in oats and it is urged that this crop be not planted in 

 the vicinity of tobacco fields. 



As an insecticide application the author recommends the use of kerosene emulsion 

 according to the formula 2 gal. of kerosene, 1 gal. of water, and I lb. of hard soap 

 diluted to make 10 gal. A number of applications should be made while the plants 

 are in the seed bed and later in the field about two applications a week may be 

 required. The expense of such an application does not exceed $20 per acre. 



Pea and bean beetles (Bd. Agr. ayid Fisheries [London], Leaflet 150, pp. 4, figs. 

 2). — Descriptive, economic, and biological notes are given on Bruchus pisi and B. 

 rufimanus. 



The turnip mud-beetle, R. S. MacDougall (Jour. Bd. Agr. [London], 12 (1905), 

 No. 2, pp. 102-104, fig. 1). — Ilelophorus rugosus is quite widely distributed throughout 

 England and Scotland. It attacks turnips by eating the leaves and tunneling the 

 leaf stalks and roots. The injury is done both by the beetle and larvae. Rotation 

 of crops is recommended in controlling this pest, together with the liberal use of 

 fertilizers. 



The use of bisulphid of carbon against wireworms (Jour. Bd. Agr. [London], 

 12 (1905), No. 2, pp. 104, 105).— It has been found that the character of the soil 

 largely determines the rate at which the fumes of this gas diffuse from the point 

 where it was injected into the soil. In using bisulphid of carbon against wireworms 

 little benefit can be expected on very wet soils, and the application should be made 

 before the damage from the wireworms is too far advanced, and moreover the bisulphid 

 of carbon should not be allowed to come in contact with -the roots of the plants. 



Report of the State nursery inspector, H. T. Fernald (Agr. of 3 f ass., 52 (1904), 

 pp. 243-247). — Of the pests which require the attention of the inspector in Massa- 

 chusetts, San Jose" scale, oyster-shell scale, gypsy moth, and brown-tail moth are the 

 most important. Brief notes are also given on black knot and other fungus diseases. 



