446 



thus indicating: the necessity for careful attention to drainage. 

 Although Aphids appeared in the usual numbers they did comparatively 

 very little damage, probably owing to the condition of the bushes. 

 Other pests recorded are : Scrica assamensis, Brenske, occurring in 

 April ; a Liparid, probably Leiicoma submarginata, found in February ; 

 Brachytrvpes achatinus, Stoll, causing serious damage to green m.anures 

 — this cricket was most abundant in March and disappeared by July -, 

 Diapromorpha melanopus, Lac. (orange beetle), adults of which appear 

 in March to April and July to August ; HdopeUis theivora, Waterh. ; 

 Toxnptcracoffeae, Nietn. {Ceylonia theaecola, Buckt.) (tea aphis), against 

 which phenyle solution was successfully used ; Andraca bipimctata, 

 Wlk. (bunch caterpillar), which occurred in large numbers in May and 

 June ; Zeuzera coffeae, Nietn. (red borer) ; Arbela spp. ; Belippa 

 spp. ; Homona menciana, Wlk. (tea tortrix) ; Biston suppressana, 

 Gn. ; Clania spp. ; Psyche assamica, Watt (conical Psychid) ; termites, 

 occurring in May and August — forking round the bushes appears 

 to check this pest ; Tetranychiis bioculatus, W.-M. ; Eriophves 

 (Phyiopfus) theae, Watt ; and a stalk-killing mite, against which lime- 

 sulphur solution was used with success. 



Zur Arsenfrage im Weinbau. [On the Arsenic Question in Viti- 

 culture.] — Luxemburger Weinztg., Grevenmacher, ix, no. 12, 

 nth June 1921, pp. 132-133. 



At a recent meeting of viticulturists in Germany the question of 

 arsenical poisoning as the result of the use of sprays against vine 

 moths was discussed. It appears that the difference in the arsenic 

 content of treated and untreated vines is so slight that there can be no 

 question of its detrimental effect. Vines treated only with nicotine 

 showed the same arsenic content as those sprayed with arsenicals. 



Pethybridge (G. H.), Laffertv (H. A.) & Rhynehart (F. G.). 

 Investigations on Flax Diseases, — //. Dept. Agric. & Tech. 

 Instr. Ireland, Dublin, xxi, no. 2, 1921, pp. 167-187, 13 figs. 



This report gives the result of investigations of flax diseases and 

 pests during 1920 in Ireland. 



Lea oats are attacked by the larvae of the cranefly {Tipula sp.), 

 and if flax is planted after this crop it also is attacked by this pest. 

 Owing to varying opinions, experiments were carried out to discover 

 if the damage was caused by cranefly or wireworms (Agriotes sp.). 

 Flax was sown in two plots of soil sterilised by heat. When the shoots 

 appeared some " leather jacket " larvae were put into one plot only. 

 The larvae were only active during the night, when they came to the 

 surface and bit through the young flax stems, dragging them down 

 with them below ground. The majority of the plants were destroyed, 

 while the other plot showed healthy plants. The same results were 

 obtained under field conditions. The same experiment was made 

 with wireworms, but no difference was noticed in the plants of either 

 plot, and the roots had not been damaged. Further experiments 

 will be continued, but it does not appear that wireworms are a serious 

 pest of flax. 



Flax is also attacked by Longitarsus parviiliis, Payk. (flax flea-beetle). 

 Mature larvae were found in 1919 from the end of July to the middle 

 of August. They live in the soil, and pupate there. The first adults 

 emerged late in August, the maximum being reached early in September. 



