291 



Xorth America prior to this appearance in San Francisco. The reme- 

 dial measnres recommended by M. Danysz are summed up as follows: 



(1) Tboiouglily to iusufflate the mill with a powder composed of pyrethrnm 

 strengthened with nico/iue, whenever the moths are seen, especially at these three 

 times of the year: April-May, July-Augnst, and October-November; that is to say, 

 at the times when the moths issne from the cocoons in the greatest iinmbers. 



(2) To whitewash the ceiling and walls of the mill, as well as the interior walls of 

 the apparatus, at least once a year, in May. 



(3) To clean regularly, or at least twice a month, the conduits of the elevators and 

 especially those which carry the refuse away, by means of specially devised brushes. 



(4) To disinfect the emjity sacks by subjecting every one either to the action of 

 heat or of bisulphide of carbon for at least twelve hours continuously. 



Legislation Against Insects. — A summary of the laws which have been 

 enacted by corporations at diftereut times and in difterent countries for 

 the enforcement of measures against destructive insects would furnish 

 some Very interesting comparative data. Still more interesting, how- 

 ever, would be an intelligent statement of the results which have fol- 

 lowed such legislation. The paucity of beneficial results resulting 

 from sound enactments may be due either to the inefficiency of the 

 officers appointed to carry out the law, or to popular prejudice against 

 the legal provisions and a consequent tendency to shirk and evade 

 them where possible. Both causes almost invariably cooperate. The 

 fact of comparatively poor success in the past, however, should not be 

 used as an argument against wise legislation and an attempt to enforce 

 it. We have frequently had occasion to advise restrictive legislation, 

 and more frequently to urge cooperative work on a large scale, but 

 regret to state that only in a comparatively few instances has this 

 advice been followed to such an extent that the fullest good has been 

 accomplished. Too often the laissez fain; policy has intervened. Yet 

 we continue our work, having faith in human nature and particularly 

 in the intelligence of the average American citizen. We prefer active 

 opposition to total indifference, but it is more discouraging still to have 

 the merit of a suggestion accepted by intelligent persons who, never- 

 theless, refuse to assist in carrying it out for the reason that they fear 

 that indifference and Ciirelessness on the part of others will interfere 

 with complete success. 



As an instance in point, a prominent California horticultural and 

 agricultural journal, after reprinting in full our article upon the Potato 

 Tuber Moth {Lita soUowlla), in commenting on our advice relative to the 

 necessity for strenuous efforts to stamp out the insect, goes on to state 

 that it is not reasonable to suppose that the work will be done or that 

 it is possible to accomplish it even if all potato- growers do their duty. 

 The case is cited by the editor princii)ally as an instance '^ of the little 

 good that may be expected from the enforcement of anti-pest quarantine 

 laws." It is true that the result of attempts at insect legislation in 



