54 Indian TI1nse*im Note*. [ Vol.- Ill- 



the reach of farmers of ordinary means, "but thanking them for the drawings, which 

 would be reproduced in the Gazette, in order that agriculturists might become 

 acquainted with the scheme, and that in course of time a demand might arise if the 

 prices could be lowered. In reply to this letter Messrs. Hudson wrote, explaining that 

 the prices could be but little, if at all, improved upon for receptacles of the capacity 

 named ; smaller tanks, if of any service, could be mach* at a reduced cost nearly in 

 proportion to diminution of size. The quotations are for best material and work- 

 manship, as the weight of grain would be considerable, but Messrs. Hudson expressed 

 themselves as being willing to consider any suggestions for a cheaper form of tank. 



ft In reply to communications by the Department, two further letters have been 

 received from America : one from the United States Department of Agriculture at 

 Washington, and the other from the State Agricultural College of Texas, both intima- 

 ting their inability to give any information regarding the use of steel tanks for grain 

 storage." 



The contagious diseases which attack insects have lately been attract- 



Contagions disease germs in g a £ ood deal of attention, and some 

 versus insects. interesting papers have been published in 



the periodical Insect Life (United States Department of Agriculture, 

 Washington, 1890-91) on the subject. \t has long been known that 

 silkworms, house flies, and clinch bugs are very subject to the attack of 

 contagious diseases, and various other insects also are said to suffer to a 

 cunsideiable extent. The question therefore is an important one both 

 on account of the possible utilization of these diseases in fighting insect 

 pests, and also in connection with the obscure subject of the causes 

 which produce the undue multiplication at one time and the undue 

 suppression at another of common species. These being marked features 

 of insect life in India as in other parts of the globe. 



In Algeria MM. Kiinckel and Langlois have been experimenting 

 with a cryptogamic disease [Laehnidium acridiorum) said to attack 

 migratory locusts in Africa (vide Insect Life, Vol. IV, p. 151 ; and Ball. 

 Soc. Ent. Fi\, 21-th June 18'J1). In France Messrs. Fribourg and 

 Hesse of 26 Rue des Ecoles, Paris, are advertising for sale spores of a 

 vegetable parasite which they claim can be used for the destruction, by 

 inoculation, of white grubs (Melolonthidae), vide Insect Life. Vol. IV 

 p. 152 ; while an interesting series of investigations have been carried 

 on in the United States by Mr. F. H. Snow, who has been experimenting 

 with the diseases to which the clinch bug (Blissus leucopterus) is subject- 

 In a paper read before the Committee on Entomology of the Associa- 

 tion of American Agricultural Colleges and Experimental Stations held 

 at Champaign Illinois on November 12tli, 1890, and subsequently in a 

 paper which appeared in Insect Life, Vol. VI, page 69, Mr. F. H. Snow 

 describes his experiments in infecting healthy clinch bugs by scattering 

 diseased individuals amongst them. Mr. Snow's experiments were con- 

 ducted upon a considerable scale, and he regards the results upon the 



