MISCELLANEOUS. 63 



In a small house various other experiments were made, such for 

 instance as varying- the proportions of different materials, but no 

 improvement was effected or obtained excepting' in one experiment, 

 where the formula 2, 4, 10, per i .000 cubic feet of space was used; 

 this undoubtedly was the most satisfactory fumigation I have ever 

 made. 



Horticulturists would be conferring a great benefit upon their 

 fellow workers if in the future full details, such as mentioned above, 

 were kept of all fumigations made. 



It is impossible for a private individual to continue experiments 

 of this nature without incurring considerable expense for the replace- 

 ment of plants damaged, etc., but I am sure further w r ork on these 

 lines is highly desirable. 



Respecting Box Fumigators I have only been able to make a 

 few experiments, but they fully bear out all that has been stated in 

 their favour, and I feel sure that there is a distinct future for them 

 in the orchard of the immediate future. I would point out that it has 

 been estimated that during a working day of ten hours, nine men 

 with twelve covers could treat 180 trees not over twelve feet in height ; 

 indeed the cost of fumigating trees up to the height of 17 feet works 

 out considerably below that of spraying. 



SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE FOOD OF THE 

 STARLING. 



(St limits vulgaris, Linn.). 



In view 7 of the increased attention that has been given of recent 

 years to the subject of the food of different wild birds, the following 

 observations upon the food of the Starling may not be without interest 

 to farmers and others. 



The record here presented is of special interest for two reasons, 

 viz. : (i) It indicates how fallacious such records are when restricted 

 to a particular district ; and (ii) the necessity of such records extending 

 over the whole of the year. 



The number of birds examined w T as 146, of which 69 were male 

 birds and 77 female. All were shot in the vicinity of Birmingham 

 during the season January to June, 1911, in the counties of Warwick- 



