68 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
was brought under my notice some time back, and I thought 
it right first to ascertain what steps had been taken by 
foreign Governments in the matter. I find that the only 
Governments which have taken any real action are those of 
Austria and Belgium. ‘The former has assured the Govern- 
ment of Switzerland, which had warned the European 
maritime countries of the possible danger, that the importa- 
tion of American potatoes would be prohibited; and the 
Belgian Government has introduced a Bill for a similar 
purpose, which has been agreed to by a special committee. 
I have also made enquiries as to the nature and extent of the 
evil to be apprehended. I think there is reason to suppose 
that the harm recently done to the American potato crop has 
been much exaggerated, and f am informed that the insect 
in question has been known in America for more than a 
century. It attacks the stalks and leaves of the potato- 
plant, not the root, though that naturally becomes diseased 
in consequence. No potato-stalks or leaves are imported 
from America, and, as only healthy roots would be imported, 
it would seem hardly possible that the insect could be thus 
conveyed into this country. [am now in communication with 
the English Privy Council on the subject, because it is obvious 
that if any preventive measures are adopted they ought to 
apply to the whole of Great Britain, as well as to Ireland. 
But I must add that the importation of potatoes into the 
United Kingdom, especially in the event of a failure of the 
home crop, is very large, and therefore any interference with 
this trade would require the most careful consideration on the 
part of Her Majesty’s Government.”’—Edward Newman. | 
Bee Keeping.—The British Bee-keeper’s Association, 
instituted in May last, “for the encouragement, improvement, 
and advancement of Bee-culture in the United Kingdom,” 
under the Presidency of Sir John Lubbock, held its first 
exhibition at the Crystal Palace in September last. This 
institution is calculated to confer important benefits upon the 
rural population by diffusing information as to the most 
approved principles of Apiculture, in the management of the 
hives, the collection of the produce, the preservation of the 
combs, and other matters, whereby the most profitable results 
may be obtained, thus holding out encouragement to many 
who have been deterred from embarking in such a lucrative 
