406 



we now learn from the J^ew Zealand Farmer of February last that the 

 insect has spread, and occurs in a number of districts. Two annual 

 crops of wheat are grown in New Zealand, and the article referred to 

 anticipates that there will be three or perhaps four generations of the 

 Hessian Fly in that colony. The remedies recommended in the third 

 report of the U. S. Entomological Commission are summed up, and the 

 Ministry of Agriculture is urged to print in concise form matter upon 

 the life-history and remedies, and distribute it throughout the wheat- 

 growing regions of the colony. This same journal in 1887 was strenu- 

 ous in its warnings to the Department of Agriculture concerning the 

 introduction of this insect in packing straw from Europe and America, 

 but no precautions were taken. The source of the infestation is not 

 known. 



INCREASE OF THE WHEAT STRAW-WORM. 



Recent reports from Lincoln and McPherson counties, Kansas, indi- 

 cate that the Wheat Straw- worm [Isosoma tritici) has been on the increase 

 for several years past. Many wheat fields in central Kansas were 

 seriously damaged during the season of 1891 by this insect. As we 

 have frequently pointed out, wheat growers are always able, by the 

 sacrifice of one crop of straw, to effectually control this pest, as the 

 great majority of the larvae feed in the stalk above the point of cutting. 



GREAT DAMAGE BY BUFFALO GNATS. 



We notice in the loiva State Register for May 15 a statement coming 

 as a telegraphic dispatch from Louisville, Ky., dated May 8, to the 

 effect that a report from western Kentucky estimates that 1,000 horses 

 have been killed by Buffalo Gnats this year. It is likely that this 

 report is exaggerated, but there is little doubt that the gnats are 

 more abundant than usual this year. It will be noted again that this 

 is a year of floods, and the old relations between the gnats and the 

 overflow of the Mississippi Elver are sustained. 



THE HOP LOUSE IN OREGON. 



A strong defense of true scientific work has recently been made by 

 Mr, F. L. Washburn, in the columns of the Morning Oregonian of Wed- 

 nesday, June 1. In this article Mr. Washburn reviews the life-history 

 of the Hop Plant-louse [Phorodon Jimmili) and handles without gloves 

 the statements of certain hop growers who claim to have proved that 

 the life-history of this insect as published by the senior editor is 

 incorrect. An intelligent hop grower, Mr. T. D. Linton, of Eugene, 

 Oregon, one of Mr. Washburn's correspondents, has followed the early 

 generations on Plum with extreme care, and fully substantiates our 

 published records. The publication of premature and unwise statements 

 regarding supposed discoveries of other food-plants and other modes of 

 hibernation than those which are normal to the species has done much 



