ARID AGRICULTURE. 267 



so far as we know, that feeds on plants. Pro- 

 fessor Gillette, of the Colorado Station, has been 

 working to find an effectual means of destroying 

 the bean beetle. The best method so far discov- 

 ered seems to be the very simple one of knocking 

 the beetles off the plants on to the ground, in the 

 very hottest and brightest part of the day. The 

 beetle has the habit of playing "possum." Feign- 

 ing death on the ground in the hot sun really 

 results in his committing suicide in a very few 

 minutes. Few, if any of them, which do not 

 fall in the shade, ever get back on the plants. 

 Another method which is effective is to examine 

 the under side of the leaves and pick off all those 

 which have yellow patches of eggs on them. 



PEA The field pe-i is a highlv valuable crop in 



WEAVEIS . . 



much of the arid region and the pea weavel in 

 some places is becoming common and quite de- 

 structive. One of the most efficient methods of 

 getting rid of pea weavels in the field is to de- 

 stroy all the vines which are left there at the end 

 of the season. This may be done in the garden 

 at least. The weavels may be destroyed in the 

 peas by putting in a tight box and setting a small 

 dish of fuma or bi-sulphide of carbon on top of 

 the peas. Close the box for a few hours and the 

 gas will go down through the seed, killing the 

 live weavels or larva. Small amounts of seed 

 may be kept in a tight box and the weavels will 



