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MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 



AN EXPLODED REMEDY FOR THE PLUM CURCULIO. 



We are surprised to notice still going the rounds of the press an account, often with 

 editorial endorsement, of a curculio remedy which has long since been proved unavailing. 

 Tt con ists in tying corncobs soaked in molasses on the branches of the tree to be pro- 

 tected, and the theory is that the insect will lay its eggs in the sweetened corncobs in 

 preference to laying them in the fruit ! 



Another of those utterly worthless pseudo-remedies which, we regret to say, has 

 found space in some of our most valuable journals, is of practically the same nature, 

 except that in place of corncobs the writer advises the use of tomato cans filled with a 

 mixture of molasses, vinegar and water. — Insect Life. 



SUCCESS OP VEDALIA IN EGYPT. 



Kear-Admiral Blomfield, to whom we sent several consignments of Vedalia for use 

 against Egyptian Fluted Scale, and whose letters announcing the success of the later 

 consignments we have published from time to time, has written us that the beneficial 

 Australian insect has recently made its appearance in a garden in Ramleh, a distance of 

 more than three miles from the original trees upon which the first specimens were 

 reported. The experiment is evidently turning out very successfully. — Insect Life. 



ON THE CARBON BISULPHIDE REMEDY AGAINST STORED GRAIN PESTS. 



Allow me to add an important item in the method of keeping weevils and rats out 

 of a corn crib, by the use of the vapor of bisulphuret, or bisulphide of carbon. 



The improvement I expect to make this year is to place on the floor of the bin an 

 oblong box made out of two 12-inch boards, the upper part coming to a sharp point. The 

 box is to be long enough to run two-thirds through the bin, boxed up at the inner end to 

 give it support. There is to be for a few feet from the inner upper edge an opening cut 

 out about half an inch wide to give free vent for the vapor to penetrate the corn. The 

 necessity of this arrangement is, after the bisulphide has disappeared by evaporation, to 

 replace it with a fresh supply. This is to be done in particular to keep out rats the year 

 round. One good fumigation of the vapor is sufficient to kill the weevils, but it will take 

 somewhat a continuation of the evaporation to keep out rats. 



As you are aware, the bisulphide of carbon is a highly volatile fluid, and the contents 

 in an open bottle will readily disappear by evaporation. To replenish the fluid by the 

 use of the long box, say every few months, would be all that is required, and instead of 

 usin" several bottles at once imbedded in the corn, I would use but a single bottle at a 

 time. By this method the experiment; would be brought to a successful issue, and the 

 expense of protecting a bin of corn is not materially increased, but rather diminished. 



To place a bottle of bisulphide in the box described, take a wooden shovel with a 

 little box attached to the end of it to snugly hold the bottle. Let the handle be about 

 an arm's length shorter than the box. Before introducing the fluid I would close up the 

 bottle with a few layers of muslin, and by the aid of the shovel place it inside of the box 

 nearly at the inner end, leaving the shovel with the bottle inside ; then close up the 

 entrance at the door with old bags or something of the kind. 



I learn that some have apprehensions as to the personal safety in using the bisul- 

 phide of carbon, and the effect it may have on the corn. As I have ascertained by experi- 

 ments, the line of ignition is close to the body of the fluid itself, therefore there is no 

 dant^er in taking a light into the bin. As to the effect on the corn, everything is in its 

 favor. My last year's corn treated with the carbon proved that hardly a kernel failed to 

 germinate, and the shucks were eaten by the stock, I thought, with unusual relish. The 



