PllOCEEDINGS OF THE THIED ENTOMOLOGICAL MEETING 501 



until too late. However, as a sufficient number of machines 

 was ultimately obtained to supply the needs of Upper Egypt, the law 

 has been appHed to that part of the country alone. Lower Egypt will 

 have to follow suit next ginning season. 



The enforcement of this law has hitherto not presented any special 

 difficulties. Some of the factories in Upper Egypt, which had received 

 • their machinery in 1917, treated a large quantity of seed in that season. 

 Although the law was not operative we were given the opportunity 

 to study the methods of control, and thus to be able to start with a 

 definite routine at the beginning of this season. 



The working of the machines is controlled by germination tests 

 and worm tests. For this purpose we rely on two sets of samples ; 

 a voluntary set of five samples of about 500 grammes each, sent on 

 each working day by the ginner, and occasional surprise samples taken 

 by our own agents. 



On the arrival of samples at the Laboratory they are registered. 

 Then 50 grammes (or about 500 seeds) from each sample are germinated, 

 the remainder of the material received being searched through for Uving. 

 worms. If any unsatisfactory result is obtained in germination, a 

 further 50 grammes from the same sample is immediately germinated. 

 Ginners are notified immediately of spoilt seed and of hving worms 

 found. So far only one has had to have further proceedings taken 

 against him, for continuous and habitual disregard of warnings. 



Economic entomology is hopelessly mixed up with botany, in fact 

 cannot be separated from it. Thus we have evolved quite a technique 

 for our germination routine, which as it may be of use to others dealing 

 with the sam.e problem is here shortly described. 



Our germination is all done at a uniform temperature of 30°C. to- 

 27° C. As we have to deal with very large numbers of samples, we 

 have converted a room measuring 3-5 metres by 3-5 metres into an 

 incubator. The windows and door are double, having an air-lock of 

 about 50 cm. width. The ceiUng has been lowered, a straw matting- 

 forming a false ceihng at 3 metres from the ground. The heat is suppHed 

 by a hot water radiator, heated by gas. A regulator made in Cairo to 

 our own design, actuated by a Hearson's capsule, admits only the 

 quantity of gas necessary to give the h^at required. 



Shelving all round the room gives space for 4000 germinating dishes 

 at a time. Our dishes are native made, glazed earthenware, about 

 20 cm. wide by 5 cm. deep. The seed is placed on a sheet of felt and 

 covered by another sheet of felt. One hundred cc. of warm water is 

 given to each sample to start germination ; the water is drained off 

 and replaced by fresh water after 24 hours. Germination is complete 



