28 i 



A key is given for the determination of the commoner cutworms 

 of Minnesota, with an account of their hfe-histories and habits. The 

 species dealt witli include Agrotis fennica, Tausch., A. c-nigrum, L., 

 A. imicolor, Wlk., A. ypsilon, Rott.. Lycoplwlia margarilosa, Haw\, 

 Cirphis unipuncta, Haw., Eu.roa tessdlata, Harr., E. messoria, Harr., 

 Feltia ducons, Wlk., Septis arcfica. Boisd., and Sidenria devastatrix, 

 Brace. 



Faes (H.). Le Pyrethre et sa Culture. — Rev. Hortic. de VAlgerie, 

 Algiers, xxiv, no. 1-2. Januarv-Februarv 1920. pp. 19-23. 

 [Received 5th May 1920.] 



Pyrethrum. bought on the market, must be taken very much on 

 trust. The efficacy of the powder depends on details in its collection 

 and preparation, and it is often adulterated. Consequently the 

 advantages of growing it as required for use are obvious. At the. 

 same time it is difficult to obtain seed of good quality. The seed 

 should be sown in April-May or July- August, covered with a very 

 thin layer of earth {\ inch) and watered. Afterwards fresh plants 

 can be obtained by self-sowing. When bedded out the plants should 

 be about 20 inches apart. The plants flower after two years. Flowers 

 should be gatliered in dry weather, when the majority are beginning 

 to open, and dried in the shade [R.A.E.. A. v. 538]. This will 

 probably be about the middle of June. The fornuila for use against 

 Clysia ambiguella is 3 lb. of pyrethrum powder stirred into 20 gals, of 

 water in which has been dissolved 4 lb. of black soap. 



C'aesap! (L.). The Oyster-Shell Scale. — Canad. Horticidturalisf and 

 Beekeeper, Toronto, Onf., xxviii, no. 4. April 1920, pp. 95-96. 



The oyster-shell scale [LepidosapJies uhiii] is very widely distributed 

 in Ontario, though some localities are specially favourable to it. It 

 is however considerably checked by parasites [B.A.E., A, vii, 242], 

 while an infestation of several hundred individuals is necessary to 

 destroy a moderate-sized tree. The simplest method of control is 

 the use of lime-sulphur wash (one part to seven of water). Spraying 

 should take place just as the buds are bursting, as it aims at killing 

 the young scales just after they hatch. The dead scales may remain 

 on the tree for two or three vears. 



McLennan (A. H.). Spraying Vegetables. — Covad. Horde alt urist awl 

 Beekeeper, Toronto. Ont.. xxviii. no. 4. April 1920. pp. 107-108. 



Insect injury in 1919 was severe in Ontario. Against the cabbage 

 maggot [Pliorbia hrassicae] corrosive sublimate (one oz. to 10 gal. of 

 water) gave perfect results ; three applications were made, beginning 

 four days after the plants were set out. Black heart in celery, due 

 to tarnished plant bugs [Lygus pratensis], presents a serious problem. 

 A concentration as high as one pint of Blackleaf 40 to four gallons of 

 water had to be used for successful results in severe infestations, 

 one pint to 50 gals, with 2 lb. soap being the normal concentration. 

 Onion thrips [Thrips tabaei] caused a loss of over 50 per cent, of the 

 crop. Sodium nitrate (50 to 100 lb. per acre) helped to bring the 

 crop through, but Blackleaf 40 and kerosene emulsion were tried too 

 late to produce satisfactory results. 



