u 



packed immediately, and the second to be made into pressed dates. 

 Tests were then made injumigating both grades. The method of 

 fumigation for the purpose of experimentation is described. Sulphur 

 fumes were used and the receptacle closed for about 12 hours. Two 

 weeks later the fumigated material was examined and compared 

 with unfumigated dates from the same lot. The superiority of 

 selected dates over the second grade was great, and fumigation 

 greatly improved both grades. The first quahty dates after fumigation 

 were practically free from worms. A single worm in a package, 

 however destroys several dates. The cost of fumigation is practically 

 nil, and this process does not affect the colour, texture or flavour 

 of the dates. 



One modification of the existing practice would be necessary. 

 The bunches would have to be cut when about one-third are still 

 yellow, instead of waiting until all have fully ripened. Most of the 

 yellow ones will ripen after packing. There is no doubt that eggs 

 are laid on the hanging as well as the fallen fruit. 



Attention is drawn to the resemblance between the life-history 

 of E. calidella and that of the pink bollworm [Pectinophora gossypiella]; 

 in both species some of the larvae enter upon a resting stage which 

 carries the insect over from one year to another. The former moth 

 is the more suitable for experiment and may be the means of solving 

 this puzzling phase in the life-history of both insects. 



GouGH (L. H.). Preliminary Note on the Infestation of Hibiscus 

 esculentus Pods by the Pink Boll Worm. — Bull. Soc. Entom. 

 Egypte, Cairo, 1918, no. 4, September-December, pp. 79-82. 

 [Received 29th December 1919. ] 



While it has been stated in America that cotton is the only known 

 food-plant of the pink bollworm, Pectinophora (Gelechia) gossypiella, 

 it has long been known in Egypt that other plants are attacked. In 

 particular. Hibiscus esculentus and H. cannabinus are known to be 

 food-plants in Egypt, and while the fact has httle economic impor- 

 tance in that country, it is significant in view of the American 

 legislation which prohibits the growing of cotton in a known area of 

 bollworm infestation, but does not prohibit the growing of okra 

 (Hibiscus), which is cultivated as a vegetable in the Southern United 

 States. Material has therefore been collected and examined for the 

 percentage of infestation of this plant and the results prove that 

 both species of Hibiscus are naturally largely infested and are 

 sufficiently important food-plants to render legislation against cotton 

 alone a defective measure. 



Pemberton (C. E.). Artificial Distribution of Beneficial Ladybirds 

 in California by the Ton. — Hawaiian Planters' Record, Honolulu, 

 xxi, no. 5, November 1919, pp. 260-262, 



The method of collecting and distributing aphidivorous Coccinellids, 

 especially Hippodamia convergens, in California is described. During 

 1913, 75,000,000 individuals of this beetle were distributed and 



