30 REPORT OX INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1907. 



A number of demonstrations have been given showing the action 

 of the former fluid upon the eggs. A little of the Vi Fluid was taken 

 and mixed with one-hundred parts of water, then a few perfect eggs 

 were placed on a glass slide under a low power of the microscope. 

 After making sure that these were in no way damaged, they were 

 wetted with the Fluid by means of a fine camel hair brush. Within 

 a few minutes the protoplasm was seen to contract, often spurting 

 through the broad end of the egg, the egg-shell became wrinkled and 

 instead of a smooth, tense membrane, it lay as a crinkled sac with a 

 rough or broken surface. 



In most cases this action was clearly observable within three-and- 

 a-half minutes after the Fluid was applied, but in no case did it exceed 

 twice that length of time. 



As I have elsewhere stated (p. 7) the experiments, both in the 

 laboratory and on the actual trees, with the lime and salt sprayfluid were 

 most unsatisfactory. 



THE ASH PSYLLA. 



Psylla fraxini. 



From Staffordshire and Worcestershire correspondents, many 

 inquiries have been received respecting this insect. In one case the 

 attack was extremely bad. 



Wherever I thought spraying was practicable or likely to be carried 

 out, an application of the V2 Fluid w r as recommended, and not having 

 heard anything further of the pest, I presume that it has proved 

 successful. 



In nearly all the above cases the cause of the mischief had been 

 allowed to continue year after year without any remedial measure being 

 applied ; and considerable harm must have been done to the trees, most 

 of which were, fortunately, young ones. 



On numerous estates that I know of, forest and ornamental trees 

 are badly neglected. It is surely a wise policy on the part of those 

 who have the care of such, as also on the part of the owners, to see 

 that they are kept as free from disease and pests as possible. 



THE MAY BUG. 



Phyllopertha horticola, Linn. 



A Warwickshire correspondent forwarded specimens of this beetle 

 from a field of swedes, where they were present in great numbers. 

 Fortunately, Rooks and Starlings in flocks were attracted by the abund- 

 ance of food and soon lessened their numbers. 



Like the Cockchafer, to which they are related, they can be con- 

 trolled by the application of a soil fumigant. 



