1 8 First Report on Economic Zoology. 



Mustard should always therefore be drilled far apart when grown 

 for seed ; more than a foot should be allowed between each row. Not 

 only can the crop then be easily horse-hoed, but special machines can 

 be taken across the fields between the rows to catch the beetles. 

 Wooden scoops, with tar or soft soap smeared over the insides, may 

 be arranged so as to be pulled through the field, either by hand or 

 horse-power, and so collect the beetles. 



The early spraying with some arsenical wash so as to kill the 

 larvfE and beetles is, however, most to be recommended. 



FEUIT PESTS. 



An Enquiry re Bud Mites {Eriopliyes ribis^ Nalepa) in 

 Black Currant Bushes. 



A correspondent of the Boai'd of Agriculture living at Suckley 

 •sent an enquiry regarding the stacking of diseased black currant 

 bushes and the subsequent escape of the Bud Mites {Eriophycs rihis). 

 Information was sent that it is best to burn the cuttings from the 

 Wack cun-ant bushes infested with the " Big Bud " mite. There are 

 several points not yet settled in the life-history of this pest, notably 

 how long the egg stage lasts ; under the circumstances, it is best to 

 destroy all infested parts, as ova will be found at most times of the 

 year in the buds. 



The probability is, however, that if the black currant faggots were 

 stacked in the centre of the rick of other wood, that the acari w^ould 

 die out and the eggs become destroyed ; but, owing to the great 

 increase and ravages of this pest, it is best to be on the safe side and 

 to recommend the burning of the infested cuttings, which cannot be 

 of much value as wood. 



The most complete life-history of this serious pest has recently 

 appeared in the Journal of the S. E. Agricultural College, by Mr. E. J. 

 Lewis (No. 11, pp. 55 to 80 (1902)). 



The Apple Blossom Weevil. 



(Antho7iomits ^^omoram, Linn.) 



Some apple blossoms sent by a correspondent of the Board from 

 Cottenham on July 20th were attacked by the Apple Blossom 

 Weevil (An/honoimcs poonorum). The blossoms all contained the 

 mature beetles, ready to emerge. These beetles feed upon the leaves 



