209 



reastms the dnstinp; mothoil is often ifsortod to, but it is muoh more espensivp on a. 

 lai-jjc soalf than the spiayinj^ method. In a geu<!ral way it may he said that tho 

 s)nayin<; method is very mncli }>ieferalth', esiiccially in dry or toh'rahly dry \v<'athor, 

 \vhih» in very wet weather tlie dnstinj:; method gives most satisfaction. 



(3) Any of tho improved foree i)nm])s whieli are now in the market, in eonnection 

 with a good atomizing nozzle, and more esi»ecially the " Riley" or " eyolon«; nozzle " 

 which is described on pj). 211-219 of the 4th Report. For the dusting method sev- 

 eral excellent and simph- hand dusters can now be obtained, or, if nothing else be 

 at hand, a flour sieve, with a double layer of tiu*^ muslin covering the bottom, will 

 answer the ])nrpose. 



(5) Neither Paris green nor London purple, being compounded substances, has 

 a chemical name. An analysis of Lond(ni purple is given on page 149 of the report. 

 Neither is soluble in water, though London purple has a larger pro})ortion of 

 s(duble matter. 



The chief reciuirements in successfully coping with either of the worms are: (1) 

 watchfulness for the tirst appearance on- the underside of the leaves and early spray- 

 ing before tiie leaves become seriously eaten or ragged; (2) spraying as far as pos- 

 sible on the underside of the leaves aud as tlnely as possible, iu order that the poison 

 may adhere aud not be washed off. 



The Strawberry Leaf-roller. 



Ths object of this note is to ask you what we should do with our berry patches 

 that are troubled with leaf-roller. A bug or fly deposits an egg on the tender leaf; 

 in time it is hatched out, and as the worm grows it rolls up the leaf, and thus 

 absorbs the vitality of the strawberry plant. * * * Ihavetwenty-twoacresof straw- 

 berries that were somewhat troubled with it last year and I fear it more than all 

 other insects that infest the strawberry. Would spraying kill it? As it is so com- 

 pletely hid beneath the folds of the leaf 1 hardly think sjiraying would reach it. 

 [B. F. Smith, Kansas, April 18, 1891. 



Reply. The insect which is daitiaging your strawberries is pi-obably the common 

 Strawberry Leaf-roller {PhoxopteriH comptauu, Frol. ). It is originally a European 

 species and was probably imported into this country in the sixties. In Illinois, as 

 was discovered in 1867, there are two broods during the year. The worms of the 

 first brood, which appear during the mouth of June, change to the pupa state within 

 the rolled-up leaf aud become small reddish brown moths during the mouth of July. 

 The moths pair and the females lay their eggs upon the jilants and the second brood 

 of Avorms which hatch reach full growth about the end of September and pass the winter 

 in the pupa state. Farther south there is a third brood, but the insect always winters 

 in the ])iipa state within the leaves. 



As with many other strawberry insects, the best remedy consists in burning 

 over the lield soon after the fruit is gathered, aud you are doubtless aware that this 

 does not injure the plants, which invariably semi up new strong leaves and make a 

 dense growth by fall. The repetition of this treatment for two more years will re- 

 duce the insect to insignificant numbers. The best plan is to first mow the whole 

 field over as close to the ground as it can be cut with a mower and then leave the 

 cut leaves and foliage to dry for a few days. Then loosen aud rake up the straw 

 mulch, sometimes spreading it over the rows, and fire the field in a gentle breeze. 

 If there is no mulch scatter straw lightly over the plants. — [April 22, 1891.] 



The Electric-light Bug. 



Inclosed please find an insect which is known as the "Electric-light Bug." No 

 one with whom I am acquainted ever saw the insect until the steamers which run Red 

 River put on the electric light. They fly against the lights and are killed thereby, 

 and fall upon the boat's deck. * * * [John L. Kimball, Louisiana, March 8, 1891.] 



