05 



bard formula with a slight accidental excess of soap and diluted the 

 emulsion with eleven parts of water. Sprayed a clump of roses which 

 were full of beetles and sj^read a canvass on the ground underneath for 

 facility of observation. The spraying was done by means of a Eureka 

 knapsack pump with Vermorel nozzle and was more thorough than 

 would be possible in held practice on grape-vines. 



The rtrst experiment was made before 9 a. m., while yet the beetles 

 were somewhat sluggish, and they were well soused. Not a score of 

 them fell to the ground, and of these all but two or three flew off as 

 soon as the sun dried their wings. The defunct specimens were exam- 

 ined and proved worn out females. The experiments were duplicated 

 later in the day on another bush, with the same results. Two separate 

 lots were dipped into the mixture and comj)letely submerged for a mo- 

 ment. These were placed on the ground in the sun, and, as soon as 

 they dried off, at least 75 per cent of them took flight, a few of them 

 only remaining at the end of half an hour. Even were it more efl'ectual 

 the vines could not stand many sprayings of so strong a kerosene mix- 

 ture. I can therefore confirm, from direct experiment, the statement 

 heretofore based on Col. Pearson's experience. 



The insect was less abundant this year in most of the localities pre- 

 viously worst infested, while it did injury in some localities previously 

 nearly exempt. It was much more local than usual, vineyards even in 

 the same mile square being very unequally infested. 



There seems to be also a slight change in taste, for apples were pre- 

 ferred to grapes on Col. Pearson's farm, while roses remained ijrime 

 favorites, even those drenched with the kerosene mixture being eaten 

 readily without apparent injury to the beetles. 



At Hammonton strawberries were somewhat injured, but as a whole 

 the insects were less abundant than for several years past and in some 

 cases lime dusted on the i)lants served as a complete protection, there 

 being an abundance of more palatable food for the smaller number of 

 beetles. Near Lakewood Anomala lucicola made its appearance as an 

 enemy to Grape, skeletonizing the leaves. The larva develops in much 

 the same localities as the Macrodactylus, but is smoother and more yellow. 

 When full grown the larval skin splits along the back, but remains en- 

 tire as a covering to the pupa, which develops within it. I do not re- 

 member having seen this feature noted of any larva of this grouj). The 

 beetle was unusually abundant in some localities in south Jersey, but 

 was not complained of as otherwise injurious. 



Some little attention was also devoted to Black and Rasi)berry in- 

 ' sects early in the year. Agrilus ruficollis has killed off many carelessly 

 I trimmed fields and 1 have found it in both Blackcap and in Red Easp- 

 I berry canes, in which it does not do any injury. 



The stem-borer which I mentioned in my report of last year as prob- 

 l ably Lepidopterous, from a fragment, proves a saw-fly which I have 



