42 



The economy of the operation is shown by a simple estimate from the data which I have 

 given, that 5 gallons of coal oil, costing say 60 cents, will treat 9,600 square feet of 

 water surface, or, to carry the computation still further, a barrel of kerosene, costing 

 $4.50 will treat 96,000 square feet of water surface. 



With this remedy and with the drainage of swamp lands where practicable, with the 

 introduction of fish into ponds in which they do not already occur, and with the careful 

 watching of rain-water barrels and tanks, the mosquito plague in many localities can 

 be readily and greatly lessened. Where mosquitoes breed, however, in the long succes- 

 sion of brackish marshes on the seacoast, remedial work is practically hopeless. 1 

 anticipate not the slightest practical outcome from Mr. Robert H. Lamborn's dragonfly 

 proposition, and believe that relief in such cases will only come from extensive improve- 

 ments at the'public expense in the way of filling in and draining the marshes. 



One word more in reference to water tanks. The use of kerosene is of course out of 

 the question in such receptacles. A note was published in Insect Life (vol. iv., pp. 223- 

 224) to the effect that the introduction of carp into water tanks in the Riviera was pro- 

 ductive of the best results. This is a pertinent suggestion for trial in this country The 

 tJ. S. Fish Commission can doubtless furnish a limited number of carp for this purpose. 

 All water tanks and barrels should, however, be tightly covered, and only opened 

 occasionally for the purpose of aerating the water. When thrown open for this par|)ose 

 it will not be diflicult to ascertain whether larval mosquitoes (wrigglers) are present, and 

 if so, and the tank is not too large, they can be removed by means of a fine-meshed hand 

 net. 



Interesting notes of the year were read by Prof. Howard Evarts ,Weed. 



With regard to the Horn fly Prof Smith statet' that it was not more abundant in. 

 New Jersey than the ordinary Cattle-fly {Slomoxys calcitrans). 



Prof. Kellicott saiil that his son had found it very aWundant in Central Michigan. 



Mr. Weed thought that dark coloured cattle were most subject to attack. He alsa 

 recorded that the in.^ect now occurred in Louisiana. 



Dr. Bethune stated that the Horn-fly had that month been noticed for the first 

 time in the Province of Ontario, at Oshawa, Toronto and London, and was creating 

 some alarm among stock owners. 



Mr. P. H. Rolfs had found the Horn- fly in Florida. 



Mr. OsBORN read Notes on Injurious Insects in Iowa. For want of time the discussion 

 on this interesting paper was deferred. 



Prof. C. V. Riley read a paper on Rose saw-flies in which it was shown that there- 

 were three distinct species attacking roses. 



Afternoon Session. 



On reassembling the following members were elected : 



Prof. P. H. Rolfs, of Florida; Mr. H. A. Gossard, of Iowa; and Mr. C. F. 

 Baker, of Colorado. 



A paper on Plant Faun* by Mr. T. D. A. Cockerell, of Kingston, Jamaica, was read. 



Mr. James Fletcher read a paper on Injurious Insects of the Year in Canada; 

 this gave rise to a long and interesting discussion on several points brought up in this 

 paper, particularly with reference to the life history of Gortyna immanis, the difl"erent 

 kinds of knapsack sprayers, and the most practical remedies for the Horn-fly. 



Prof. Webster read a paper on the aphidivorous habits of the common slug {Limasn 

 campestris), ■which was discussed by Messrs. Riley, Smith and Howard, t^^is^ 



Dr. Bethune had found slugs upon trees he had sugared for moths. 



The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : 



President — Prof. S. A. Forbes, of Illinois. 

 1st Vice-President — Dr. C. J. S. Bethune, of Canada. 

 Snd VicePresident — Dr. J. B. Smith, of New Jersey. 

 Secretary — Prof. H. Garman, of Kentucky. 



And the meeting then adjourned. 



