74 



black soap 1|, carbonate of soda 2, and water from 80 to 90. This 

 emulsion can be improved by the addition of carbon bisulphide, in 

 the proportion of 1 part in 30 by weight. 



Coleman (L. C). Coffee Borer. — Planters' Chronicle, Bangalore, xii, 

 no. 45, 10th November 1917, p. 579. 

 The most successful measure against Xylotreckus quadripes (coffee 

 borer) has proved to be the scrubbing of the bark of trees in areas 

 likely to be attacked. This is effected by means of pieces of coconut 

 husk, a husk being spHt longitudinally into about four pieces, of which 

 the cut end forms the scrubbing surface, a sharpened piece of split 

 bamboo also being used for the crevices. This treatment, which 

 destroys the eggs laid in crevices and under loose pieces of bark, 

 necessitates two scrubbings with an interval of about a fortnight 

 between them, beginning about the last week in November, since 

 egg-laying extends over a period of 2-4 weeks. 



Blanchard (E.). D6gats causes par les Chenilles du Chou dans le 

 D§partement de la Loire et dans les Regions avoisinantes. [Injuries 

 caused by Cabbage Caterpillars in the Department of the Loire 

 and neighbouring Regions.] — Vie Agric. et Rur., Paris, vii, no. 50, 

 15th December 1917, pp. 419-420, 3 figs. 



An infestation of Pieris hrassicae in July and August is described, and 

 the various methods of control are reviewed. Of these the author 

 recommends the crushing of the eggs and young larvae and hand 

 collection of the larger caterpillars, as well as dusting with lime and 

 singeing. He also advocates a trial with decoctions of broom and 

 various insecticides. A warning is given against destroying the cocoons 

 of the parasite, Microgaster, which are often mistaken for the eggs of 

 the butterfly. 



Lawson (D. 0. K.). The Striped Cane Weevil. — Jl. Jamaica Agric. 

 Soc., Kingston, xxi, no. 6, June 1917, pp. 219-220. [Received 

 19th December 1917.] 



The larvae of the striped cane weevil [Metamasius sericeus] severely 

 damage young cane tops, riddling them with holes, from which a 

 yellow fungus has been observed to grow. On examination, each 

 fungus growth was found to be attached to the body of a dead grub, 

 the disease proving an effective check to the infestation. Except in 

 isolated cases this fungus has not appeared in recent years, but a 

 culture prepared from it might with advantage be used against this 

 pest and the banana root borer [Cosmopolites sordidus]. 



The application of a top dressing of nitrate of soda to fields attacked 

 by the larvae proved effective, though liming the land had not in any 

 way checked the pest. The planting between the canes of cowpeas, 

 which are sprayed with Paris green and ploughed in when about 

 9 inches high to act as a poison-bait, and the hand collection of the 

 adult weevils are both useful measures. 



Hanson (A. P.). Corn Worm. — Jl. Jamaica Agric. Soc, Kingston, xxi, 

 no. 6, June 1917, pp. 227-228. [Received 19th December 1917.] 



The corn worm \Laphygma frvxjiperda,'] is a most destructive pest of 

 maize, attacking the plant by eating through the stem or by boring 



