153 



caterpillar burrows between the two surfaces, though it does not 

 remain in one leaf, but attacks two or more, giving an opportunity 

 for control by spraying A\ath lead arsenate at the rate of 1 lb. to 16 

 gallons water" The plants should be sprayed thoroughly once a fort- 

 night from the time that the leaves are the size of a shilling until the 

 plants are transplanted in the field. Attacks may be prevented by 

 enclosing the seed-beds wdth boards and covering with cheese-cloth 

 mitil a fortnight before the seedhngs are transplanted, one application 

 of lead arsenate being sufficient to prevent injury during this period. 



Jack (R. W.). The Maize Stalk Borer {Cakimistes fusca, Hmpsn.' — 

 Rhodesia Agric. J I., Salisbury, xiv, no. 6, December 1917, 

 pp. 707-717, 2 plates. 



The maize stalk borer is the caterpillar of a Noctuid moth, Busseola 

 {CaJamistes) fusca, that o\nposits during the month of December 

 between the leaf-sheath and the stalk of plants that have attained a 

 certain size, usually about 12 inches in height. There are two broods 

 during the year, the moths of the first emerging in late November 

 and early December, and of the second about the end of February. 

 The larvae of the second brood bore into the stalks of maize, kaffir 

 corn and allied crops, and hibernate there, often as far down as the 

 roots. 



Planting should not be done too early. This wall avoid the plants 

 being of the requisite height at the time that the moths are on the 

 "wang. The stalks, which must be hoed out or cut below the soil level 

 during the winter, should be burnt. 



Savage (C. G.). The Cabbage Aphis (Aphis brassicae). — Jl. Dept, 

 Agric. S. Australia, Adelaide, xx, no. 7, February 1917, p. 58L 

 [Received 2nd February 1918.] 



The growing of cabbages and cauliflowers would be difficult in 

 some districts owing to the attacks of the cabbage aphis {Aphis bras- 

 sicae), were this insect not heavily parasitised by a small Ichneu- 

 monid that keeps it in check. The best preventive against the 

 Aphid is rapid forced growth by manuring the soil before planting, 

 and then freely watering the plants, or watering with small quantities 

 of sodium nitrate, ammonium sulphate and soot. Should the Aphid 

 have become established, the best treatment is spraying with water 

 at r20°F., while sprays of tobacco wash, resin wash, or kerosene 

 emulsion may be used, if applied before the cabbage-heart forms. If 

 young plants become infested while still in the seed-bed, they should 

 be dipped in one of the above mixtures before transplanting. 



Ritchie (W.). The Structure, Bionomics and Forest Importance of 



Myelophilus minor, Hart. — Separate, dated 4th December 1917, 

 from Trans. R. Soc. Edinburgh, Hi, part 1, no. 10, 1917, pp. 213- 

 234, 2 plates. 



This paper describes the fife-history, habits, and important anatomi- 

 cal features of Myelophilus minor, Hart., and contrasts them with 

 those of M. jjiniperda, the only other species of this genus that is^a 



(C458) B 



