66 



ments during a period of two 3"oars: Persons of the lower classes must 

 appear for three days' Avork without compensation at a distance of 7 

 versts and with compensation at a greater distance, not exceeding 20 

 versts; upon persons of the higher classes, on the other hand, a money 

 tax is levied, the amount of the imposition per dyess3^atina ('•2.7 acres) 

 depending on the value of the work performed by the persons of the 

 lower classes. The use of the rope was prohiliited by the same law. 

 After the lapse of two years the law was not renewed, each govern- 

 ment conducting the contest according to its discretion. The Taurida 

 and Ekaterinoslav governments leave the fight of the weevil to the 

 population, and allow the use of the rope. The Kharkov government 

 has imposed a tax of I garnts (2.88 quarts) of weevils from each dyes- 

 syatina (2.7 acres) under rye, wheat, and barley; for each garnts not 

 presented a fine of 12^ cents is imposed. 



The means of fighting the weevil employed by the zyemstvos are 

 almost all mechanical: (a) Collecting the weevil with the hands or with 

 speciall}' designed machines, and (b) frightening ofi' the weevils by 

 means of a rope. 



(c) Cecldoniii'ia desfntctor S^y. — The only measure enforced by the 

 zyemstvos in fighting the Hessian fly consists in not allowing the early 

 sowing of winter crops. 



THE TOBACCO STALK WEEVIL. 



( Trichobaris mucorea Lee. ) 



By F. H. Chittenden. 



In a consideration of the potato stalk weevil, Trichobaris trinotata 

 Say., which was treated somewhat in detail in Bulletin No. 33, new 

 series (pp. 9-18), it was remarked in defining the food habits of this 

 species that tobacco and tomato appeared to be exempt from its 

 ravages, although nearly all other Solanaceie growing within its range 

 were attacked. Before the bulletin in question had appeared in print 

 we received a communication from Mr. Lawson H. Shelfer, tobacco 

 expert of the Bureau of Soils, and located at Willis, Tex., that a related 

 species of weevil was greatl}" injuring tobacco in that section. Our 

 correspondent first wrote in regard to this species, transmitting adults, 

 and in the following months sent much material and many valualile, 

 notes on the habits of this insect and the nature of its ravages. The, 

 remarks which follow, on the insect's life history and habits, are 

 based mainly upon Mr. Shelfer's letters and the material received 

 from him. 



The larva of this species also, as might be expected from its close 

 relationship to the potato stalk weevil, inhabits the stalk of tol)acco 

 and also the main ribs of leaves, sometimes completely severing them 

 or injuring them so badlj^ that the winds which blow almost constantly 

 in that region break them ofi' and thus greatly weaken the plant. 



