54 



A system of cultivation that is adopted in Mexico has proved verj 

 successful on Cuban estates. Heaps about 20 inches high are made 

 about 1 yard apart, and manure can be placed between them. The 

 seedlings are planted one on each side of each heap, about half-way 

 up the sides, which are made very steep. When the shoots are 

 sufficiently grown they are entv^dned with those on the other side of 

 the heap and remain interlaced over the crest. The tops of the heaps 

 thus always remain dry and do not encourage the plants to send out 

 roots even when they touch the earth. The plant has thus only one 

 main root and matures very quickly, large tubers forming in about 

 lialf the usual time required, and the tubers remain free from infestation 

 by C. formicarius, because although the plants above-ground may 

 show signs of attack, they are too far below the surface to be reached 

 by the weevils. Moreover the larvae, being unable to reach the 

 tubers, remain exposed to the attacks of predaceous enemies such as ants. 



Oalvino (M.). Fruta Bomba (Carica papaya). — Rept. 1917-1918, 

 Estacion Expt. Agron., Santiago de las Vegas, Cuba, 1919, pp. 402- 

 414, 5 figs. [Received 3rd December 1919.] 



Carica papaya (papaw), which is cultivated for its fruit in Cuba, 

 has a number of enemies that may spoil the entire crop. The larva 

 of a Sphingid, Erinnyis {Dilophonota) alope, attacks the leaves, but 

 is largely controlled by a parasite, Microgaster flaviventris, Cress., which 

 attacks the larva. A Microlepidopteron, Eucardinia caricae, damages 

 the bark, but the most injurious pest is the larva of a fruit-fly, Toxotry- 

 pana curvicauda, Gerst., which oviposits in the fruit before it is ripe, 

 the larvae on hatching devouring the young seeds and causing the 

 falling and decay of the fruit. As a protection against this pest the 

 fruits should be enclosed, as soon as they are fertilised, in bags of double 

 cheesecloth. 



Cardin (P.). Departamento de Entomologfa y Patologia Vegetal. 

 Informe Annal. — Rept. 1917-1918, Estacion Expt. Agron., Santiago 

 de las Vegas, Cuba, 1919, pp. 458-465. [Ueceived 3rd December 

 1919.] 



Studies have been carried out on the life-history of Aleurocanthus 

 woglumi. The life-cycle during summer and autumn is found to 

 occupy an average of 65 days. It follows therefore that insecticide 

 treatments must be repeated within a minimum of 60 days to destroy 

 all stages of the insect. The Hymenopterous parasites of white- 

 flies have been studied and many additional species found ; these do 

 not however give adequate control. The enemies of textile and 

 oleaginous plants have received attention. On Higuereta, which is 

 valuable for the motor oil extracted from it, a destructive species of 

 Coi-ytJmca occurs ; this can be controlled by soapy insecticides, but 

 substances are being sought for that will be both cheap and effective. 

 Studies have been made on the life-history of Anastrepha sp., which 

 injures mangos and other fruit. The late varieties are those 

 most generally attacked. The best remedy is to clear away the 

 infested fruit from under the new growth, and burn it. The foliage 

 below the new shoots and the undergrowth around should be sprayed 

 with a sweetened poison solution. 



