397 



As a precaution against moth-borer, infested cuttings of sugar-cane 

 should be carefully avoided in planting. Diaprepes farinosus (root- 

 borer) can be controlled bv the use of sunflowers as a trap-crop. The 

 weevils collect on the sunflower heads and can be readily collected and 

 destroyed. 



A new kerosene-soap emulsion which has been proved to be a very 

 successful insecticide consists of 4| lb. whale-oil soap dissolved in 

 If pints of fusel oil, using a wooden paddle to stir with until thoroughly 

 dissolved, when 7 quarts of kerosene is added. One part of this 

 mixture should be diluted with 9 or 10 parts water before use. As all 

 the ingredients are insecticides the mixture is very effective, and it will 

 keep indefinitely in the concentrated form and for a long time in 

 diluted form. 



Bentley (G. M.). The Control of Injurious Insects and Plant Diseases 



in the U.S.A. — Univ. Tennessee Agric. Expt. Skc, Knoxvllle, Bull, 

 no. 117, March 1917, pp. 111-123, 1 fig. [Received 2nd July 

 1917.] 



This is a new and revised edition of a former Bulletin which has 

 previously been abstracted [see this Review, Ser. A, iii, p. 549]. 



Sanborn (C. E.). The Alfalfa Web Worm. — Oklahoma Agric & 

 Median. Coll, Agric. Expt. Sta., Stillwater, Bull. no. 109, February 

 1916, 7 pp., 4 figs. [Received 2nd July 1917.] 



Loxostege similalis, Guen. (alfalfa web-worm) hibernates in Okla- 

 homa in the pupal stage, the adults appearing about mid- April ; five 

 successive generations follow, the last being present as late as November. 

 The natural food-plants are the " careless " or pig weeds, and almost 

 all common weeds found in the State, but the moths ovi]30sit on 

 practically all farm and garden crops, except small grains such as 

 wheat and oats. The eggs are laid in masses on the lower side of the 

 leaves and hatch within three or four days, the larva spinning a web 

 across the upper side of the leaf, under which it is protected and con- 

 cealed. The earlier generations pupate under this web, but the larvae 

 of the last generation, when mature, burrow into the soil to a depth of 

 about one inch, where they spin a web to form a pupal cell, in which 

 hibernation takes place. The adult moths do not fly far. Lucerne 

 fields which are threatened wdth a serious infestation should be mowed 

 and made into hay as soon as possible, as the caterpillars neither 

 develop on nor injure dry hay. Lucerne that is being grown for seed 

 should be sprayed with Paris green, 1| lb. being used with 5 lb. air- 

 slaked lime to each acre. Powdered lead arsenate can be substituted 

 for Paris green for crops such as cotton or young maize. In the 

 autumn lucerne fields should be cultivated so as to render the soil 

 readily pervious to water, for the ensuing frosts will then destroy all 

 the insects hibernating in it. As the caterpillars feed largely on weeds, 

 clean cultivation is necessary wherever possible. 



The synonomy of the species is given and a bibliography of 21 works. 



