XVI THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



Perhaps fumigation with the gas under a vacuum might be successful but its appli- 

 cation would be restricted. 



High Temperatures: We have recently been conducting experiments on the use 

 of high temperatures, or "Superheating," for the control of insects infesting stored 

 products in mills and warehouses, with very satisfactoiy results. Where this method 

 is employed it is necessary to' have a system of heating the building that will give and 

 maintain for not less than six hours a temperature of 120 degrees F. to 125 degrees 

 F. For this purpose it is usually necessary to instal in the storage building additional 

 means of heat radiation, but such additions are permanent and a single application 

 per annum is sufficient as a rule to maintain control over these insects. The superior 

 penetrating power of the super-heating method is a great advantage. 



Low Temperatures: In Canada where low winter temperatures occur it has 

 been found that such temperatures in many cases prove fatal to insects afifecting 

 stored products. At Ottawa the larvae and adults of the flour moth have been 

 killed by an exposure to a temperature of 50 degrees F. Silvanus surinamensis L., 

 has been killed by exposing seeds infested with this species to a zero temperature at 

 Ottawa. The pea weevil Bruchus pisorum has been killed at Ottawa by exposing 

 seed containing the weevils to a temperature of 18 degrees F. The occurrence of 

 low temperatures throughout many parts of Canada where grain is grown or stored 

 has an undoubted efifect in reducing the total damage caused by insects affecting 

 stored grain and other products. 



Estimates of Loss Due to Insects Affecting Stored Grains. 



It is not possible to give any estimate that would be of value of the annual loss 

 caused by insects affecting stored grain in Canada. It is estimated in the United 

 States that at least five per cent of the cereal crops are destroyed by insects while in 

 storage, but for reasons already given it is unlikely that this estimate would apply 

 equally to Canada. In any case in the absence of more exact information any esti- 

 mate would be little more than a guess. 



The Committee of The Royal Society of Canada has adopted the foregoing and 

 has pleasure in submitting it for the information of the Committee appointed by the 

 Royal Society of London. 



VI. — The Honorary Advisory Council for Scientific and 

 Industrial Research in Canada. 



One of the most striking results of the great war is the sudden 

 awakening of the EngHsh speaking world to the importance of scien- 

 tific and industrial research, and the realization by Governments of 

 the necessity of applying scientific research to the whole range of 

 problems which present themselves in both war and peace. 



With the declaration of war the supplies of several classes of 

 products foi which Great Britain had come to rely almost exclusively 

 upon Germany — in the manufacture of which that country has 

 gradually secured a practical monopoly — were suddenly cut off. 

 Some of these, such as dye stuffs, optical glass, etc., were of vital 

 importance to certain of Great Britain's industries, which were very 

 seriously threatened by the impossibility of securing adequate supplies 

 of these necessary materials. Some of these materials were even 

 needed for the manufacture of arms and munitions of war, and the 

 necessity of making Great Britain independent of foreign countries 

 not only for the requirements of industry but also for the essentials 

 of national defence was thus made clear. 



