220 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. \ 10 April, litis. 



As tlie bark on the trees is a favorite breeding place for most wood- 

 boring insects, it should be removed as soon as tiie tree is felled. Fire- 

 wood cut in the forest and left on the ground is often attacked by borers, 

 and so becomes a medium by which the pests are brought wuthiu reach 

 of houses and furniture. Telegraph poles, flooring boards, mine props, 

 &c., if attacked, or even if not attacked, since prevention is better than 

 cure, should be treated with one of the following : — 'Corrosive sublimate, 

 linseed or other preservative oils, kerosene, benzine, creosote, white ant 

 preservative, carbolic acid, white ant exterminator, benzine mixed with 

 carbolic acid,- or carbolinium. Axe, spade, and other tool handles, 

 spokes, naves, &c., infested by borers should be treated by being soaked 

 in preservative oil for 24 hours. Preservative oil is highly recommended 

 by Mr. W. ,W. F.roggatt, F.L.S., Government Entomologist of i^ew South 

 Wales, who states that floor joists, after they are laid, should be 

 thoroughly dressed with the oil, to which has been added one pO'Und of 

 arsenic to one 'gallon of oil. Personally, I am diffident about recom- 

 mending arsenic for treatment of timber against borers (especially in 

 buildings), but as Mr. Froggatt, Avho has had a long experience with 

 timber borers, has recommended this method for j^ears, and no harm has 

 come to those following it, I am quoting him. I have used preservative 

 oil Avithout the arsenic, and the results have been very satisfactory. 

 The oil penetrates into the timber, and destroys any insect in the 

 tunnels. Floor joists that have been dressed with creosote are immtino 

 from the attacks of borers. 



Dr. A. D. Hopkins, in charge of forest insect investigations, Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, United States of America, who has devoted much 

 time to the study of forest insects, writes as follows : — 



Timbers and Woodwork in Structures. 



(1) Use nothing but heartwood for the concealed parts most likely 

 to damage. 



(2) If it is necessary to use all part sapwood material, attack can 

 be prevented by treating the sap portions with kerosene, coal tar, creo- 

 sote, or linseed oil. Facilities for future treatment can be provided 

 wherever the rough or finished woodwork is exposed, as in outbuildings, 

 bridges, &c., if care is taken to expose the sapwood. 



(3) If the untreated timbers and woodwork in old buildings show 

 evidence of attack, the affected portions should be given a liberal appli- 

 cation of kerosene. 



THE PIN-HOLE BOEER (Anobium sp.). 



Another insect which causes considerable damage to timbers, &c., 

 is the " Pin-hole Borer." It is scarcely one-sixth of an inch long, of 

 a dark-brown colour, and, as in the case of most of its allies, its head, 

 being well sunk in the thorax, has the appearance of a hood or cowl, 

 or if seen sideways reminds one of a bonnet which almost envelops the 

 head. 



The adults of this class of wood-boring insects place their eggs on 

 the wood. The minute worms hatching from the eggs bore directly into 

 the wood, forming at first holes so small that they are scarcely visible 

 to the naked eye. They do not stop in the sapwood as do some kinds, 

 but extend their burrows to the verv heart of the tree, each worm 



