223 



the Aphids. About 30 oz. of laundry soap were dissolved in 2 U.S. 

 gals, of hot water, and 4 U.S. gals, of kerosene were then thoroughly 

 churned with the solution, the mixture being finally diluted to make 

 50 U.S. gals. This emulsion was effective, all Aphids hit by the spray 

 being killed. In some cases slight injury was noticed after application 

 of the spray, but this might equally have been caused by mosaic 

 disease that was present on some of the plants. Press notices were 

 then issued to growers recommending this form of spray, which is 

 obtainable at half the cost of nicotine solution, though a little more 

 trouble is necessary in its preparation. 



In the course of the discussion following the reading of this paper 

 it was reported that in Ohio washing powder had been used in the 

 place of soap with equally good results, thus obviating the necessity 

 of heat to dissolve the soap. It was pointed out that the main func- 

 tion of soap is as a carrier, and that the alkali itself, or a washing 

 powder, will serve admirably as a softener, provided that it is strong 

 enough to function properly and not strong enough to injure the plant. 

 The preference for using soap is due to the wider margin of safety, while 

 with washing powder the brand used would have to differ with the 

 character of the water used. Entomologists in recommending remedial 

 measures are inclined to be insuiB&ciently considerate towards the 

 farmer's attitude in respect of such items as labour, mechanics, etc. 

 The problem of Aphid control largely resolves itself into a question 

 of thoroughness of application in proportion to strength of spray 

 used, a low nicotine content killing the Aphids if thoroughly covered 

 with it, while much greater strength is required if the insects are 

 not thoroughly wetted. The combination of soap with arsenates is 

 now considered safe by many growers, perhaps owing to the arsenates 

 being better standardised than formerly. 



Cory (E. N.). The Status of the Oriental Peach Moth.— J?. Econ. 

 Entom., Concord, N.H., xii, no. 1, February 1919, pp. 81-84. 



Cydia {Laspeyresia) molesta (Oriental peach moth) has become so 

 thoroughly estabUshed in several of the States on the eastern coast, 

 and the progress of infestation is such that it is feared the pest 

 may finally become as destructive to peaches as the codling-moth 

 [Cydia pomonella] is to apples. The percentage of infestation is 

 still, however, quite small, being generally less than five, and may 

 be still further reduced by spraj^ing. Dry particles of self-boiled 

 lime-sulphur will kill newly-hatched larvae that attempt to crawl 

 through them. Dusting may therefore give better control than 

 spraying. 



Parasitism probably exercises a large measure of control. About 

 60 per cent, of the eggs are parasitised by Trichogramma minutum, 

 Riley, while seven other parasites destroy about 50 per cent, of the 

 larvae and pupae, four being Hymenopteja and three Diptera. 



Experiments for controlling this moth have given very variable 

 results, and depend not only on the actual value of spray applications, 

 but also on the quantity of arsenical spray that a peach tree will stand. 

 Expei^ments with insecticides on the eggs show that nicotine sulphate 

 1 : 500 or 1 : 800 gives about 70 per cent, mortality, and calcium arsenate 

 and calcium caseinate, in combination with self-boiled lime-sulphur, 



