33 



South (F. W.). The Possibilities of developing Roselle Fibre as a 

 Cottage or other Industry in the F.M.S. — Agyic. Bull. F.M.S., 

 Kuala Lumpur, ix, no. 1, January-March 1921, pp. 23-26. 

 [Received 15th November 1921.] 



In discussing the possibihties of developing this industry, it is 

 remarked that the seed pods of roselle [Hibiscus sabdariffa] are attacked 

 to some extent by the cotton-stainer, Dysdercus sp., which has caused 

 a small loss of seed. By analogy with what has occurred on cotton 

 in the West Indies, it seems probable that if the plant were grown on 

 a large scale, the pest would develop to such an extent as to reduce 

 materially the yield of seed. 



S[outh] (F. W.). Report oJ the Work of the Inspection Staff, January, 

 February and March, 1921.— Agric. Bidl F. M.S., Kuala Lumpur, 

 ix, no. 1, January-March 1921, pp. 29-33. [Received 15th 

 November 1921.] 



The situation in the campaign against coconut beetles is discussed. 

 There was an outbreak of Brachartona catoxantha on old coconut 

 palms in one locality ; in another, the caterpillars of the skipper 

 butterfly, Hidari irava, did some damage, but were finally controlled 

 by insect parasites and a fungus. 



ScHULTz (E. S). A Transmissible Mosaic Disease of Chinese Cabbage, 

 Mustard, and Turnip.—//. Agric Res., Washington, D.C., xxii, 

 no. 3, 15th October 1921, pp. 173-177, 4 plates. 



During some recent experiments Chinese cabbage {Brassica pekin- 

 ensis), mustard {B. japonica), and turnip {B. rapa) were found to be 

 attacked by a mosaic disease similar to that found in Solanaceae. 

 The disease is transmissible by direct transfer of juice and by Aphids. 

 During the infestation here described, Myzus persicae, Sulz., was found 

 on infected plants and was used in the transmission experiments. 



Watieres. (G. F.). L'Olivier.— i?a'. Agric. Afr. Nord, Algiers, xix, 

 no. 114, 7th October 1921, pp. 752-755. 



Olive trees in Algiers are attacked by Zeuzeura pyrina, the larvae 

 of which appear at the end of autumn. Towards February or March 

 they are about 3-4 mm. long, and have just begun to tunnel into the 

 bark ; they can then easily be destroyed before any damage is done 

 to the tree. Saissetia {Lecanium) oleae frequently attacks sickly 

 trees, especially those with thick, bushy branches ; most of the natives 

 have' not yet realised the indirect advantage, due to Scutellista cyanea 

 [a Chalcid parasite of fig scales], to be obtained by the interposition 

 of fig-trees in the olive groves. The Pyralid, Margarodes unionahs, 

 chiefly attacks young trees and grafts, seriously arresting develop- 

 ment. As these are always trees without much leaf surface, nicotine 

 sprays are recommended as being as efficacious and not so dangerous 

 as lead arsenate. Daciis olt^ae (olive fly) does serious damage ; arsenical 

 sprays are used against this pest. 



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