August, '12] HOWARD: PROSPALTELLA WORK IX ITALV 327 



Here are the results obtained at the end of the j'ear 1911, according 

 to the account of Professor Berlese, who has himself visited the local- 

 ities in upper Italj^ where mulberries are cultivated : 



The region in which the spread of the precious parasite has been 

 the most effective and the most efficacious, thanks to the indefatigable 

 efforts of the traveling professors of agriculture, is upper east Italy. 

 We have already said that in 1910 four hundred pieces of branches were 

 sent to this region. In 1911 the number was increased to 1160. The 

 destruction of the Diaspis by the parasite has been so intense that this 

 region will be the first to be cleared of the scale. In some localities, 

 especially at Vincenza and at Verona, where the Prospaltella w^as placed 

 in 1909, the multiplication has been such that they already claim the 

 total destruction and disappearance of the Diaspis as the result of the 

 work of the parasite. 



Brilliant results have been obtained by Professor Orsi in the suburbs 

 of Riva, where centers of spread of the Prospaltella have been estab- 

 lished since 1908. 



The most marvelous results have been noticed in the centers of 

 spread established in 1910. Here one finds the Diaspis still on the 

 bark, but all destroyed by the parasite. 



Professor Berlese visited Lombarch' also, where the most perfect 

 centers of spread were found at \^anzago and at ^'enegono Inferiore. 

 At Vanzago upon the estates of Cav. Vago he was not able to find a 

 healthy Diaspis, but only traces of the scale killed by the parasite. 

 Around this estate the Diaspis w^as found to a distance of several 

 hundred meters, but always infested by the Prospaltella, which had 

 spread unaided. Professor Berlese estimates that in 1912 all the 

 Diaspis will be destroyed for a distance of several kilometers from the 

 center. 



In 1911, 7614 branches carrying the Prospaltella were distributed in 

 Italy, and this is the list of localities to which this infested material 

 was sent: 



Liguria 210 ■ 



Piedmont 1218 



• Lombardy 2784 



Venetia 2812 



Emilia 254 



Marche 196 

 Umbria . 50 



Tuscany 90 



The great success obtained in the work against the Diaspis by the 

 spread of Prospaltella is due to certain peculiarities of this parasite. 



