The Department of Agriculture during the War. 557 



brandy) being" found adulterated, etc. The following- year the 

 number of samples analysed was 1036, the number found adulterated, 

 etc., being 21 per cent., of which by far the largest number were 

 brandies. During 1917-18 the number of samples taken increased to 

 1234, and 21 per cent, of those analysed were deficient or adulterated, 

 again mostly brandies. Practically all cases of adulteration of spirits 

 were caused through the addition of water. In addition, 121 samples 

 of liquors were examined on importation. For contraventions of the 

 Act a large number of prosecutions were instituted by the Department 

 and many convictions followed, and generally satisfactory control of 

 that part of the liquor trade falling under its jurisdiction was 

 exercised. 



[This review icill be concluded in the ne.rt issue of the Journal.] 



Naphthalene for Fowl Lice. 



In connection with the testing of proprietary insecticides, the 

 Insecticide Board of the United States Department of Agriculture 

 conducted a series of experiments to determine the value of 

 naphthalene against fowl lice. Naphthalene is said to be a very 

 common ingredient in proprietary lice powders, and to be also sold 

 in the form of nest eggs. The experiments are reported in the 

 October, 1919, issue of the Journal of Economic Entomology. The 

 findings are summarized as follows : — 



1. Powders containing 5 per cent, or less of naphthalene are of 



no value against lice. 



2. Powders containing from 10 per cent, to 20 per cent, are 



very effective. 



3. As little as 10 per cent, naphthalene may temporarily injure 



hens, if the powder is well rubbed in, and 60 per cent, or 

 more may kill the treated fowls under the same conditions. 



4. Naphthalene (60 to 100 per cent.) sprinkled over the backs 



of fowls at roost proved to be of considerable value against 

 lice. 



5. Naphthalene nest eggs are of no value against lice on laying 



or setting hens. 



6. The data obtained indicate that setting hens, the eggs, and 



possibly any chickens hatched, are injured by these eggs. 



The failure of naphthalene nest eggs to control the lice is ascribed 

 to the fact that the vapour given off is over four times heavier than 

 air, and consequently does not work up through the feathers. The 

 nest eggs were also quite valueless against the common fowl mite. 

 The dusting of the fowls at night had to be done without disturbing 

 them much in order to be successful, and some failures were put down 

 to the powder being shaken off. 



