278 



Petherbridge (F. R.). Spraying for Apple Sucker and Leaf-curling 

 Plum Aphis. — Jl. Bd. Agric, London, xxi, no. 10, January 1915, 

 pp. 915-919, 1 pi. 

 These experiments aimed at ascertaining which of the various late 

 winter washes at present recommended would best control the attacks 

 both of Psylla 7nali (the apple-sucker) and Aphis pruni (the plum 

 aphis). The washes are divided into groups, containing respectively 

 lime, sulphur, and salt ; lime and sulphur ; lime and salt ; lime, salt, 

 and waterglass ; and lime, salt, and washing soda. The addition of 

 waterglass to lime and salt did not increase the adhesive properties, 

 and the addition of washing soda was apparently detrimental, as 

 the deposit on the upper surface of the branches and twigs on this 

 plot was washed off by the heavy rains soon after spraying. Of the 

 washes applied early in March, the lime, salt and sulphur wash was 

 the most successful in reducing P. mali, but even this was far from 

 successful from the growers' point of view. The most noticeable 

 difference between the mitreated plot and those which had been 

 sprayed was the healthy appearance of the leaves of the plum trees 

 on the latter as compared with the curled leaves of the untreated 

 plot. On all the sprayed plots the aphis was so reduced that summer 

 spraying was unnecessary, and this, in an orchard where A. pruni 

 has done a considerable amount of damage hi former years. These 

 observations are not in agreement with the conclusions of those 

 observers who find that spraying with lime and salt, lime, salt and 

 w^aterglass, or lime, salt and washing soda in early March is capable of 

 keeping dowai apple-sucker. If experiments on these lines are recorded 

 with the time of spraying, relative to the hatching of P. mali, and 

 also with the amount of rain following the sprayings, it may be possible 

 to determine why one experimenter is successful and another misuccess- 

 ful with the same wash. 



As a result of these experiments, the author favours the lime, salt 

 and sulphur wash, applied as late as possible previous to the hatching 

 of the apple-suckers, for the dual purpose of reducing the two pests 

 in question. 



Ealand (C. a.). Insects and Man. London : Grant Richards, Ltd., 

 1915, 343 pp., 16 pis., 100 figs., 8vg. Price 12^. 

 This book does not claim to be more than a compilation, but it is 

 well arranged and, though dealing with highly technical matters, 

 presents a mass of interesting information in an attractive form. 

 The relations of insects with plants, with disease in man and domestic 

 animals and as beneficial agents and household pests, etc., are dealt 

 with and a lengthy section discusses insect control. A little more 

 than fifty pages is allotted to the insect pests of plants and a general 

 review of the subject is given with examples of those of major impor- 

 tance such as locusts, pests of cotton, the periodical Cicada, the gipsy 

 moth, scale-insects, the Hessian fly, the Mediterranean fruit fly and 

 Phylloxera. The English reader may be surprised to find no mention 

 of any important English insect plant-pests, the fact being that in 

 this country though many exist, they are rather an annoyance than 

 the cause of grave commercial loss. The illustrations, especially 

 those from photographs, are well chosen. The book would be greatly 

 improved by a fuller and more accurate index. Ten pages of biblio- 

 graphy, with references to over 200 works, are appended. 



