In the attack on currants, which I had fortunately in my own 
garden and so could keep under constant observation, it soon 
became evident that the little yellow Springtail worked most in 
shaded moist spots, and that once the sun dried up the foliage and 
soil a check came in the damage. This was equally noticeable in 
sweet peas being damaged by Sminthuri. 
Seeing and being informed of the damage done by these Aptera 
to currants, and that it was becoming of no mean importance, I at 
once tried to clear them out without tracing the egg stage, which 
I had hoped to. 
Six lots of bushes were treated as follows, and one left as a 
check : 
I. Two bushes were heavily washed with the Woburn nicotine 
wash and soap, and the ground beneath was also sprayed. 
2. Two bushes were washed in the same way, but not the ground. 
The bushes were then netted over. 
3. Two bushes were sprayed with arsenate of lead, and also the 
soil. 
4. Two bushes with quassia and soft soap, and also the soil 
drenched with the same. 
5. Two bushes were sprayed with arsenate of lead, and the soil 
beneath heavily dusted with fine lime and soot. 
6. Two bushes were sprayed with nicotine wash and heavily 
dusted on the soil beneath with lime and soot. Others were left as 
checks. 
In 1, 2,3 and 4 considerable good was done for a time, but in 2 
there were a number of Springtails on the bushes again in two 
days, and'in 3 very much the same occurred a few days later. 
In 1 and 4 the results seemed somewhat better than in 2 and 3. 
But in none of these were the insects checked as one would wish 
to see done. 
In 5 and 6 the results were practically the same, viz. that no 
trace of the Aptera could be found, and no further damage was 
noticeable. 
From this it appears that (A) the Springtails may be poisoned 
with arsenate of lead (Swift's paste) or nicotine at the strength 
used (viz. 1 1/5 oz. of nicotine to 10 gallons of water), that (B) the 
ground treatment is necessary also, and (C) as they do not feed on 
the soil, that the drying caustic effects of lime and soot are better 
(9) 
