53 



The following extract from an agricultural paper will shew what pains are taken in 

 Germany to prevent the spread of this noxious insect : — 



" In the December number of Agricultural /Science is a translation from the Berlin 

 Official Gazette of an account of how the introduction of the Colorado potato beetle into 

 Germany is prevented. The beetle was first discovered on a potato field in the locality 

 of Latitzch. As soon as its appearance was positively settled, an examination was first 

 made of all the fields the beetle could possible have visited. Then for a distance of six 

 miles about the place, placards with coloured illustrations of the insect were distributed 

 among the people to put them on their guard. Eight smaller potato fields were thus 

 discovered to be affected. All these grounds were then strictly quarantined. The potato 

 stalks were most carefully searched for eggs, larva? and beetles. Next the soil about the 

 roots and stems was examined, and afterwards the tops were cut off and collected in 

 linen-lined baskets. These were placed in pits four feet deep, in layers four inches thick, 

 and saturated with raw benzine oil, destroying the plants ; on top of these were placed 

 other layers until a height of twenty inches was reached, then earth was placed on them. 

 The infested fields were ploughed nearly a foot deep, experienced laborers followed the 

 ploughs, collecting any larvae, chrysalids, or beetles turned up. Then the land was har- 

 rowed once, being gone over again by laborers for insects. After the search was ended 

 the fields were thoroughly saturated with raw benzine oil, 165 lbs. being used to 47 

 square feet. The fields were shut up and no one allowed to go on them. Next year no 

 crops will be grown here, but the fields will be again examined." 



The Curculio of the Plum. 



The fruit-grower in this Province has no more for- 

 midable enemy to contend against than the Plum Curculio 

 (C onotrachelus nenuphar, Herbst.), the different stages of 

 which are shewn in the accompanying wood-cut : a repre- 

 sents the grub much magnified ; b the chrysalis, and c the 

 beetle, both magnified ; d the young fruit, shewing the 

 crescent-shaped mark made by the insect, and the curculio, 

 life size, at its work. 



Until very recently the only remedies employed 

 against this insect were laborious in their application and 

 uncertain in their results ; such, for instance, as jarring 

 the tree and catching the falling insects in sheets spread 

 beneath ; trapping them under boards or other articles 

 beneath the trees ; planting in poultry yards, etc. Now, happily, a remedy has been 

 discovered, comparatively easy of application, inexpensive, and almost certain in its good 

 results — I refer to the plan of spraying the trees with a weak mixture of Paris green at 

 the time the females are laying their eggs. Three-quarters of an ounce by weight of Paris 

 green mixed with two and a half gallons of water has been found very satisfactory. The 

 liquid must be sprayed all over the trees with a hand force-pump and applied in a fine 

 mist-like spray till the leaves begin to drip. It has been found of advantage to mix a 

 certain amount of flour with the Paris green in order to render the fluid more adhesive 

 to the fruit. Three quarts of flour to a barrel (40 gallons) of water was found to be a 

 satisfactory quantity. The time of application is just after the blossoms fall and when 

 the fruit is of the size shewn in the wood-cut above. If applied before the blossoms are 

 matured, the stigma of the pistil of the flower may be injured by the poison and the fruit 

 prevented from formation. Another evil result is that the honey bees affecting the 

 blossoms may all be poisoned, a fatality that has actually happened when apple trees 

 were sprayed in a similar manner for the prevention of the codling moth. If, on the 

 other hand, the application is delayed too long, the female beetles will have laid their 

 eggs and the young curculios will be out of reach inside the plum. 



Since the preparation of our last Report, Professor Forbes, State Entomologist of 

 Illinois, has published an account of his experiments with arsenical poisons for the 

 destruction of the codling moth of the apple. His results may be mentioned here as the 



