3 



of New Jersey is snid to date back some four to six years, and resembles 

 au ''irruption" of some 20 years ago. The eggs in New Jersey are 

 said to be laid from the 10th to the 20th of January, and the facts al- 

 ready recorded are confirmed, that the larva feeds on the roots of plants, 

 preferably grass, in light soil, descending below the frost line in winter 

 and ascending in spring, transforming to pupa in April or early in May, 

 the beetles ajipearing from May 19 to 27. The length of the larval 

 state is not yet ascertained. 



The main portion of the bulletin is occupied by an account of ex- 

 periments with different remedies. The arsenites were found to be use- 

 less because of their slow action. The copper mixtures were also found 

 to be useless. Pyrethrum was found to be ineffective as a killing agent, 

 while it is thought to be too expensive to use as a stupefler. The author 

 lias accepted Colonel Pearson's statement that no chafers were killed 

 by the application of kerosene emulsion, and has conducted no experi- 

 ments himself, which is much to be regretted. Kerosene extract of 

 pyrethrum was ineffective. Lime was found not to be a reliable remedy 

 or preventive. The favorable experiences which we have quoted from 

 correspondents in different parts of the countr}- are explained by Pro- 

 fessor Smith in the statement that " Ohio Rose Bugs must lack the 

 robust constitution of their New Jersey confreres, or, what is more likely, 

 they were not so abundant and had an ample chance at more palatable 

 food." He found that tobacco was " eaten with immense relish, both in 

 the form of X. O. Dust and finely ground stems." Acetic acid, quassia 

 and digitaline proved failures. Corrosive sublimate acted as a pre- 

 ventive, but was found to be too destructive to plant life to enable its 

 practical use. The same resulted from the use of muriate of ammonia 

 and cyanide of potassium. The odorless insecticides, sludgite, kainit, 

 and alum were also failures. His experiments with hot water, however, 

 seemed satisfactory. Heated to 125° or higher the beetles were in- 

 stantly killed, but great difficulty was found in reaching the insects with 

 a sufficiently high temperature. Several forms of an apparatus for col- 

 lecting the beetles are figured, and the bagging of grapes is highly 

 recommended. The author suggests in conclusion that the farmer 

 should, /n'.sf, prevent the breeding of the insects on his own land by 

 using the heaviest land only for grass and keeping as little light land 

 as possible in sod, while thorough cultivation in May will destroy many 

 of the pup;e; .seeond, plant a few rows of blackberries around the 

 vineyards to attract the first hordes ; a few rose bushes or spiraeas will 

 answer the same purpose ; third, use early or late blooming varieties 

 of grapes and stimulate the vines by fertilizers to force the blossoms, 

 and by inducing a heavy bloom get a surplus which will stand some 

 thinning by insects. Keep a man with a collector constantly at work 

 at least once a day for three weeks. The bulletin is written for the prac- 

 tical man and in the most popular style, but it will prove most valuable 

 to the fruit growers of the State, and Professor Smith has shown his 

 usual energy in his treatment of the subject. 



