186 



Full directions are given for making Bordeaux mixture, lime- 

 sulphur solution, and arsenate of lead sprays. Instructions are given 

 in the use of the hydrometer, with a dilution table. Advice 

 is also given as to the best manner in which to apply the spray and the 

 best type of machinery to use, according to the size of the orchard to 

 be treated. Tables show the cost of spraying orchards in various 

 parts of the State. 



Sayre (C. B.). Commercial Onion Gromng.— Purdue Univ. Agric. 

 Exp. Sta., Lafayette, Ind., Circular no. 57, September 1916, 25 pp. 

 12 figs. [Received 6th March 1917.] 



The onion thrips [Thrips tabaci] causes considerable damage to 

 onions every year, especially in dry seasons. It may be controlled 

 by spraying at high pressure with a nozzle producing a fine mist-like 

 spray which can be directed into the base of the onion leaves. The 

 mixture recommended consists of 5 oz. concentrated nicotine sul- 

 phate, 4 lb. whale-oil soap, and 50 U.S. (42|^ Imp.) gals, of water. 

 This should be applied when the thrips first appear and the onions 

 are small and easily sprayed. Two or three sprayings at intervals 

 of ten days may be necessary to destroy succeeding generations as 

 they hatch. A gasoline outfit or good hand-pump with a long line 

 of hose and extension rod is advised. Onion maggots [Hylemyia 

 antiqua] also cause more or less damage every year. The removal 

 and burning of infested plants is an important measure of control. 

 The plants may also be sprayed as soon as they come up, mth a mixture 

 of 1 oz. of sodium arsenate, 2 J U.S. quarts of molasses and 5 U.S. 

 (4^ Imp.) gals, of water. The arsenate should be dissolved in boiling 

 water and the molasses added and thoroughly mixed. It may be applied 

 with a whisk broom or with a sprayer, using a coarse nozzle, as the 

 object is to form large drops at which the flies may drink and so be 

 poisoned. Once the plants have become infested, no remedy is 

 effective during the cm'rent season, but by burning as many infected 

 plants as possible, the number of insects that will appear the following 

 year may be reduced, and the poisoned bait can be applied before the 

 flies have had an opportunity to lay their eggs. 



Cutworms are most effectively controlled by means of poisoned 

 bait. A mixture of 50 lb. of wheat, bran or middling, 2 lb. of Paris 

 green and 6 finely chopped oranges or lemons, with enough molasses 

 and a little water to make a stiff dough, is advised. Lumps of this 

 mixture, about the size of a marble, should be scattered round the 

 infested area, preferably in the late afternoon, as cutworms are night- 

 feeders and the bait will not have had time to dry before they appear 

 to feed. 



The Coconut Beetle {Oryctes nasicornis) in Samoa. — Report of the 

 Commission of Enquiry concerning the Coconut Beetle in Samoa, 

 Malua, 1916, 60 pp. [Received 6th March 1917.] 



The evidence shows that the present situation as regards this beetle 

 in Samoa is worse than it was in the previous year, a much larger 

 area being affected than in former years, though it is not proved 

 that the actual damage inflicted has been more severe than previously. 

 It is doubtful whether the wholesale cuttins; down of trees in infested 



