532 Scientific Proceedings^ Royal Dublin Society. 



expected to have both these properties. Most of the experiments gave 

 indefinite information owing to the unusually slight infestation. There 

 were, however, indications that a few possessed effective properties ; but 

 many further tests are necessary before they, or modifications thereof, can be 

 recommended. The very evident uselessness of other treatments tested 

 pointed to the conclusion that further trials with such would be super- 

 fluous. 



With the object of determining the effect, if any, of various seed dress- 

 ings, some of which were reputed to impart protective properties, small plots 

 were sown with seed previously treated as follows : — 



1. No dressing (control). 



2. " Nilfli " powder, mixed dry with the seed. 



3. Powdered naphthalene, mixed dry with the seed. 



4. Two per cent, copper sulphate solution. 



5. Two per cent, copper sulphate solution, plus paraffin oil. 



6. Paraffin alone. 



The powders were mixed at the rate of 21 lbs. to 7 pecks of seed, while 

 the liquids were sprayed on during continual stirring, and until the seed 

 became thoroughly wetted. Slaked lime was used as a drying agent, and 

 sowing done directly afterwards. The germination was not adversely affected 

 by any of the treatments employed, but in no case was the slightest protec- 

 tion afforded to the seedlings. All si.K plots were equally badly attacked, 

 and no difference could be seen in the severity of the attack on the control 

 plot when compared with each of the others. 



The following substances were applied in powder form to the seedlings, 

 and as far as possible in the presence of dew, to ensure better adhesion to 

 the foliage : — 



1. Flowers of sulphur, 1 cwt. per acre. 



2. Corry's tobacco powder, 1 cwt. per acre. 



3. Pyrethrum powder, 1 cwt. per acre. 



4. Soot, 6 cwt. per acre. 



5. Soot and lime, equal parts, 6 cwt. per acre. 



6. Koad dust, 6 cwt. per acre. 



Negative results were obtained from each of these powders, no obvious 

 protection being afforded the seedlings in any of the plots so treated. 



The glabrous nature of flax foliage is responsible for a serious difficulty 

 with regard to sprays for the seedlings. Moreover, the habit possessed by 

 the beetles of feeding only on the newly opened foliage renders the effective 



