280 Forty-fifth Report on the State Museum. 



Injurious Insects. (Country Gentleman, for April 2, 1891, lvi, p. 

 273, c. 2, 3—43 cm.) 



Abstract of a paper read at the New Paltz Farmers' Institute, treating of — 

 the recent increase of insect pests; the increase largely in fruit insects; the 

 principal depredators on the several fruits; generalization of methods for the 

 destruction of sucking insects and biting insects; the best insecticides, viz., 

 Paris green, London purple, and kerosene emulsion; their history, etc.; three 

 recent triumphs in economical entomology; the benefits of arsenical spray- 

 ing; fungicides combined with insecticides; reported bad results from London 

 purple; strength of insecticides adapted to different fruits; lime lessens injury 

 from the arsenites; the force pump; cost of spraying; several other means 

 of protection from insect pests named. 



Quince-Tree Borer. (Country Gentleman, for April 9, 1891, lvi, 

 p. 294, c. 4—6 cm.) 



To an inquiry for a remedy or preventive against this insect, a wash pre- 

 pared as follows is recommended: A gallon of common soft soap and a pint 

 of crude carbolic acid, thinned with a gallon of hot water, to stand over night 

 or until it is perfectly united, and then eight or ten gallons of cold, soft 

 water to be added. 



Honey-Dew on Pear Twigs. (Country Gentleman, for April 16, 



1891, lvi, p. 317, c 1—16 cm.) 



Pear twigs sent from Athens, N. Y., as infested with "honey-dew," are 

 covered with a black substance, thought by some fruit-growers to be con- 

 nected, or identical with, the apple scab. It is doubtless honey-dew, black- 

 ened by age and the association with it of the usual fungus that occurs on 

 honey-dew infested foliage — a harmless form. The honey-dew could not have 

 been deposited so abundantly by any known pear aphis. Probably the trees 

 had been attacked by Psylla pyri. Search will be made for this insect during 

 the following month. 



Arsenic and Honey — Experiments. [Is Arsenical Spraying 

 Harmful to Honey-bees ?] (Country Gentleman, for April 16, 

 1891, lvi, p. 317, c. 1, 2 — 24 cm.) 



Replying to inquiries: It has not been shown that honey bees have been 

 killed or their honey poisoned by arsenically sprayed blossoms, although so 

 asserted by Professor A. J. Cook and other apiarists. That such a result may 

 follow is not believed by some of our best botanists. The question should be 

 set at rest by proper experimentation; until then, caution should be exercised. 

 If safe, it would be advantageous to spray during blossoming, for at this 

 time the larvae of some leaf-rollers could be reached, and not later. 



Bulletins relating to spraying may. In many cases, be obtained by address- 

 ing the Directors of the Agricultural Experiment Stations. Director Atwater's 

 "Experiment Station Record" is commended as useful to fruit-growers. 

 Several of the most desirable Bulletins upon spraying, spraying apparatus 

 and insecticides are named, and Station Directors' addresses given. 



