113 



In beginning operations, 40 lb. lime and 80 lb. sulphur are weighed 

 out. The sulphur is mixed with water to give a thick paste, while the 

 lime is added to 15 gals, water in the cooking barrels. When partially 

 slaked, the sulphur paste is added, the steam turned on, and the 

 solution made up to 40 gals. The time required for boiling is about 

 40 minutes. When finished, the solution should have a deep reddish 

 colour and be free from undissolved sulphur. After straining, the 

 solution can be stored and kept till required for use if air is excluded by 

 a layer of oil poured on the surface. If good materials are used and if 

 the solution is properly cooked, there should be only a small percentage 

 of sediment. The average cost of the liquid is about ^d. a gallon. 



Smith (H, S.). A Note on the Western Twig Borer.— ilMZ?/. Bnll. Cal. 

 State Commiss. Hortic, Sacramento, iv, no. 12, December 1915, 

 pp. 572-573, 1 fig. 



Polycaon confertus, Lee. (western twig borer) is found more or less 

 abundantly every spring and summer upon various fruit trees, 

 vines, etc., boring into and damaging the new wood. Dead trees of 

 Arbutus menziesii (madrona tree) become completely perforated by 

 the larval mines, and probably this -is the only tree in which this insect 

 usually breeds. In view of this fact, it is remarkable that the larvae 

 can live and transform within apples, and the beetle has been reared 

 from these. Injury to grape, plum and olives has also been recorded. 

 One beetle is capable of disfiguring an entire tree, while two or three 

 individuals may destroy it. The clearing and burning of dead madrona 

 wood should reduce the numbers of this beetle. 



Insect notes.— Mthly. Bull. Cal. State Commiss. Hortic, Sacramento, iv, 

 no. 12, December 1915. p. 574. 



The following insect pests are recorded :—Heliothripsfasciatus, Perg., 

 on olives ; Phloeosimis cristatus, Lee. (cypress twig borer), on cypress ; 

 Ips concinnus, Mann, (lodge-pole engraver beetle), on Pinus radiata 

 and P. muricata ; Merodon equestris, F. (narcissus bulb fly), on 

 narcissus bulbs ; Dendroctoniis miens, Lee. (red turpentine beetle), 

 attacking the cambium layer at the base of conifers ; Elaphidion 

 viUoswn, F. (oak pruner), on oak, hickory, and fruit trees ; the Dipteron, 

 Dipilosis pini-iadiatae, on Monterey pines ; Paralrioza cockereUi, Sulc, 

 a Psyllid attacking Solanimi capsicasfrum. 



Beneficial insects recorded include •.—Triphleps tristicolor. White, 

 and the Staphylinid beetle, Oligota oviformis, Casey, feeding on 

 Tetranychus telarius, L. (two-spotted mite) ; the Coccinellids, OUa 

 abdominalis, Say, and Cycloneda sangumea, L., feeding in the larval 

 and adult stages on Phorodon humuli, Schrank (hop aphis). 



Maskew (F.). Quarantine Division : Report for the Month of October 



1915, — MtJily. Bull. Cal. Stale Commiss. Hortic, Sacramento, iv, 

 no. 12, December 1915, pp. 575-577. 



The insect pests intercepted were the following :— From China : 

 Cylas formicariiis in sweet potatoes ; Lepidopterous larvae in garlic ; 

 a Coccid on pears ; Aulacaspis pentogona on tea plants. From Hawaii : 



