1899] HOP FLEA BEETLE. 75 



thus be an effectual check on their operations. The only application 

 which Mr. Bonnor mentions as being of some service is that of 

 "basic slag." 



In a short bulletin by Prof. Clarence M. Weed, Entomologist of 

 the New Hampshire College Agricultural Experimental Station, U.S.A., 

 entitled ' Kemedies for Flea Beetles,' I find the use of the two following 

 recipes for washes, strongly advocated, after trial "on a variety of 

 garden crops," hit I have no knowledge of ivhat the effect miffht he on a 

 kind of crop of such special nature as our Hop plants. There is no reason 

 to doubt that they could be safely and most probably serviceably used ; 

 but, as with all other mixtures used as washes, experiment should be 

 made on a few plants as to the strength of wash that may be safely 

 applied to the leafage before proceeding to use it on a broadscale. 



One of these applications consists of " a spray of lime- wash made 

 by adding a pint or more of freshly slaked lime to two gallons of water, 

 and then thoroughly mixing in about half a teaspoonful of Paris-green. 

 . . . The lime dries on in a firmer coating than when simply dusted 

 on, and consequently is more effective." 



A still more certain remedy (Prof. Clarence Weed remarks) is found 

 in the use of the Bordeaux mixture, for which he gives the following 

 recipe : — 



" Dissolve five pounds of copper sulphate (blue vitriol) in two or 

 three gallons of hot water in an earthen or wooden vessel. Pour into 

 a barrel, or tank, holding fifty gallons, and add water enough nearly 

 to fill it. Now slake five pounds of good fresh lime in two or three 

 gallons of water, and pour into the barrel, straining through a sieve 

 as it goes in. Mix the two thoroughly, and the preparation is ready. 

 In applying for Flea Beetles, or to any crop which is liable to injury 

 by insects, add four ounces of Paris-green to each fifty gallons of 

 Bordeaux mixture." — (C. M. W.) 



The small amount of Paris-green suggested as an addition to the 

 lime-wash, and also to the Bordeaux mixture, which is customarily 

 used as a "fungicide," would be certain to make the action in either 

 case much more surely destructive to the Flea Beetles ; and Paris- 

 green, or Emerald-green, as it is sometimes called, has now been for 

 so many years in use with us as an insecticide that it is not perhaps 

 necessary to continue to repeat the warnings that care is requisite in 

 using it, as it is a poison. It is an arsenite, or aceto-arsenite of copper, 

 and of a beautiful green colour, making it very attractive to children ; 

 and to save risk of accidents, whether to children or from carelessness 

 generally, the green powder should always be kept under lock and key, 

 and only given out when needed, and into trustworthy hands. 



In regard to its application. The date mentioned of appearance 

 of the Hop Flea Beetles on the leafage or young shoots of the Hop is 



