151 



CoNRADi (A. F.) & Barre (H. W.). Orchard Spraying.— C/ewsow 

 Agric. Coll., Clemson College, S.C, Extens. Circ. 17, February 

 1919, 8 pp. [Received 18th January 1921.] 



The preparation and use of orchard sprays in South CaroHna are 

 described. 



Sawyer (W. S.). The Cranberry Rootworm Beetle {Rhahdoptems 

 picipes) as an Apple Pest (Coleoptera) .—Caw^^. Ent., London, 

 Ont., lii, no. 12, December 1920, p. 265, 1 plate. 



In June 1920 the cranberry rootworm beetle, Rhabdopterus picipes, 

 01., was observed injuring apple fruit in the State of New York ; the 

 foliage was not touched. After about the middle of July the beetles 

 left apples for the foliage of Virginia creeper, dock, and wild 

 strawberry, and disappeared about the 1st of August. 



Powdered arsenate of lead (5 lb. in 100 U.S. gals, of summer strength 

 lime-sulphur) was applied with great thoroughness, without either 

 killing the beetles or driving them away. 



McCarthy (T.). Banana Root Borer {Cosmopolites sordidus, Germar). 

 — Agric, Gaz. N.S.W., Sydney, xxxi, no. 12, December 1920, 

 pp. 865-872, 2 plates, 1 fig." 



An account is given of Cosmopolites sordidus. Germ, (banana root 

 borer), as occurring in the Tweed River district. The stages of this 

 weevil and its habits and life-history are described Much stress is 

 laid on the necessity for clean cultivation, and the trap method of 

 catching the beetles is advocated The question of introducing the 

 predatory Histerid, Plaesiiis javamis, from Java, is being considered, 

 but further information regarding this enemy is required. 



Illingworth (J. F.). The Root Disease o£ the Banana in North 

 Queensland. — Queensland Agric. Jl., Brisbane, xiv, no. 6, 

 December 1920, pp. 297-301, 2 plates. 



Investigation among banana gardens in Cairns district, where the 

 trees were very unhealthy and appeared to be drought-stricken, 

 •with the bunches of fruit much dwarfed, showed a heavy infestation 

 of Nematodes at the roots. Most of the rootlets were dead or rotted 

 off, and the larger roots showed patches of decay. The Nematodes 

 were present in all stages, but there was little indication of fungus. 

 The Nematode concerned, Tylenchus sp., is described. It is hoped 

 that the remedial measures advocated by A. H. Benson for eelworms 

 in general will be successful against this pest. These include dipping 

 banana plants, prior to planting, in a 1 : 1000 solution of corrosive 

 sublimate for two hours, and afterwards planting at various depths, 

 of which 12 inches seemed to give the best results. It is suggested 

 that since arsenious acid is proving effective for the destruction of 

 white grubs in soil, and has not shown any detrimental effects upon 

 the root system of sugar-cane, it may prove valuable for other root- 

 destroving organisms. In testing this, the corms and the holes in 

 which "they are planted should be dusted ; and the poison should 

 be mixed wiih the soil in infested fields before the sets are put in. 

 Lime might also be tried when planting. 



