Semi-Centennial Volume. 75 



having then been caused through violent onsets of the gnats in the coun- 

 try not far south of Rayville, Richland parish. Even the Ouachita river, 

 which courses southward in a line as far west as Monroe, La., was sweep- 

 ing over its banks at the same time, but nothing could be learned that 

 would implicate any outbreak of the pests in connection with the sub- 

 mergence of the marginal tracts of land. However, as Major Lee has re- 

 ferred to an experience with the foe in 1912, which is recounted in the 

 fore part of this paper, the incident may have been occasioned by an 

 event similar to the latter. 



At Baton Rouge on March 13, 1915, Dr. W. H. Dalrymple told of an 

 inquiry that had just come to his hand from a correspondent who gave 

 his address as Lloyd, Rapides parish, La. The inquirer desired to be 

 informed of the best treatments to use for protecting farm stock from 

 onslaughts of black flies. He requested this information in order to take 

 prompt action for saving his animals in case the pests should appear 

 again like swarms of them had done at a corresponding time of the year 

 before. Several head of animals in the parish were said to have suc- 

 cumbed to the fury of that invasion. 



Examples that were thought to be the species commonly called turkey 

 gnat incidently became noticeable in the lakeside district of Baton Rouge 

 during the last week of April, 1917. A member of the University faculty 

 on one occasion called attention to the effects of a bite which had been 

 inflicted on the lower edge of his eye. The attack took place while he 

 was walking through the campus. On the same grounds a few days later 

 the writer himself happened to feel the sudden grip of an insect on his 

 neck, but killed it with a quick slap by the hand before it could bite. It 

 answered to the species as already mentioned. 



Initial Advances in Researcli Work with Insects Infesting 



Stored Rice. 



Elbert S. Tucker, 

 Louisiana Apricultural Experiment Station, Baton Rouge. 



METHODS OF CONDUCTING BREEDING TESTS. 



Research work with insects infesting stored rice and its by-products 

 was undertaken by the writer at the beginning of 1912. The breeding 

 of different species of the pests that were encountered in the course of 

 the investigations was conducted under both collective and isolated 

 methods of handling the specimens and material. In this manner, the 

 stock furnished a reserve supply and afforded a check on the i.solations. 



MANAGEMENT OF COLLECTIVE BREEDING. 



Preparatory arrangements for collective breeding were made by 

 placing each accession of infested stock in a suitable receptacle, such 

 as a jar, crock, or can, which, on having the mouth properly covered, 

 served as a cage. The most satisfactory cover used on the utensil con- 

 sisted of a piece of muslin cloth cut to the desired size, this being 

 fastened over the orifice with a cord tied around the edge. On con- 

 tainers other than those of clear glass, a hole was cut out in the center 



