268 MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1916. 



purpose and often plentiful enough so that my net would 

 become wet while sweeping the grass for specimens. As shown 

 elsewhere by actual counts and estimates the drain on certain 

 fields is such that it well deserves attention and the determina- 

 tion of measures for control. 



If old fields showed uniformly small plants there would be 

 some reason to attribute the reduction in growth to the soil or 

 to "running out" but when scattered stems stand at good height 

 and produce excellent heads it seems that this explanation is 

 insufficient. 



It is a peculiar sight in some fields to note a considerable 

 number of tall well developed stalks with large heads in full 

 bloom and along with them in exactly the same soil and ex- 

 posure to sun, rain and other conditions, numerous dwarfed 

 plants with short, blasted heads or no heads at all. 



While some mention of the species has been made by these 

 earlier writers there has been scarcely any reference to the 

 species or their possible economic importance by later writers 

 and there is evidently opportunity for some careful observations 

 and experiment to determine their habits and possible meas- 

 ures for control. The observations recorded here it is hoped 

 will furnish a basis for any more detailed studies that may be 

 possible in the future, but they will serve, it is believed an imme- 

 diate purpose in suggesting some measures which should help 

 in the reduction of the losses from this source. 



MEADOW FROGHOPPER. 



(Philae t nus spumarius L.) 



This extremely abundant species is widely distributed in the 

 eastern United States as well as in Europe. It is probably 

 the species most commonly referred to in mention of frog- 

 hoppers although the nearly related species P. lineatus has 

 been doubtless often the basis of comment. In general works 

 the two species are seldom distinguished but since they have a 

 different food plant range and other differences in habit, a more 

 exact reference seems desirable. In common usage froghopper 

 covers both these and certain other species. To make a more 

 precise distinction I would propose this species be called the 



Irl 



