524 



AucHiNLECK (G. G.). Trials with Reunion Tobacco in 1916-17. — 



Mauritius Dept. Agric, Port Louis, Gen. Ser. Bull, no, 9, May 



1917. 6 pp., 3 plates. 



Experiments in growing a variety of tobacco from Reunion known 

 as " tabac bleu," which is imported into Mauritius in large quantities,, 

 have been tried with good results ; but when grown on poorer soil 

 on a larger scale it is probable that considerable trouble will be 

 experienced as the plants are liable to attack by various diseases and 

 pests. Larvae of Heliothis obsoJeta {armigera) considerably damaged 

 the young plants and had to be controlled by hand-collection. Ants 

 frequently attack the seeds, and it is suggested that the beds should 

 be surrounded by a line of earth soaked in paraffin. A species of 

 Heterodera also attacked the plants^ arresting their growth and so 

 greatly weakening them that it is doubtful whether tobacco could be 

 successfully grown in those parts of the Island that are seriously 

 infested by this Nematode. 



Weldon (G. p.). The Alfalfa Weevil and State Quarantine. — Mthly. 

 Bull. Cal. State Commiss. Hortic, Sacratnento, vii, no. 8, August 



1918, pp. 484-487, 2 figs. 



The importation of salt grass from Utah into California for use in 

 packing machinery and bananas having been forbidden under Quaran- 

 tine Order No. 29, on the ground that it was likely to effect the 

 introduction of the alfalfa weevil [Hgpera variabilis], a conference of 

 quarantine representatives has investigated the problem and offers 

 the following solution. The material known in Utah as " salt grass 

 packing " may be admitted into States now maintaining a quarantine 

 against lucerne, straw and other hay from Utah owing to the presence 

 of the alfalfa weevil, provided that such material be cut only between 

 the 1st October and 1st April, and that the raking, stacking, baling 

 or shipping of this material as a commercial product be allowed only 

 after the maximum daily temperature of the season has fallen below 

 60° F. 



The facts underlying this resolution are : — (1) the grass is unlikely 

 to be attacked by weevils during its period of growth, which takes 

 place on very wet land, or even under water ; (2) the weevil is inactive 

 between the dates mentioned and is therefore not likely to infest 

 the gathered crop by flight ; (3) the weevil does not fly when the 

 temperature is below 60° F. 



Mackie (D. B.). Some Pests we do not want, why we do not want 

 them, and how they may arrive, ii. The Banana Root Borer. 



— Mthly. Bull. Cal. State Commiss. Hortic, Sacramento, vii, no 8, 

 August 1918, pp. 498-502, 3 figs. 



Early in 1918, the introduction into the United States of all 

 parts of banana plants used for propagation was prohibited under a 

 quarantine order, which was promulgated owing to the appearance 

 in Florida of Cosmopolites sordidus, Germ, (banana root-borer). In 

 June shipments of banana plants were received from infested nurseries 

 in Florida. Although banana-growing is not a staple industry in the 

 United States, the introduction of infested plants might contribute 



