96 



they could probably develop on various other plants without strong 

 odor. Geraniums have never been found to be eaten, but they seem 

 rather to prefer this plant to cut off for forming- pupal cases when 

 they can obtain it. Larvae were noticed, although sparingly, feed- 

 ing on violet. Commelina. and plantain, and more commonly on 

 zinnia. — F. H. C. 



NEW HABITS OF THE CUCUMBER FLEA-BEETLE. 

 (SpUrix cucumeris Harr.) 



Beginning with the first week of June. 1903, the writer noticed 

 general infestation of ornamental petunias by flea-beetles, evidenced 

 by characteristic small punctures in the leaves. The depredator 

 proved to be Epitrix cucumeris, and the cause for injury Avas also evi- 

 dent, as the insect was found developing on Solcmum nigrum growing 

 as a w^eed in the flower beds. A few wild plants remaining here and 

 there were overlooked by the gardener. The destruction of the weeds 

 caused the insects to migrate to the petunias. It was also noticed that 

 this species occasionally attacked wild Acalypha, but not the cultivated 

 plant of the same genus. 



August 11. 1903. Mr. A. D. Shamel, Tariffville, Conn. , reported this 

 species to be doing great damage to tobacco, confini lg itself to Cuban 

 tobacco, and that it attacked the leaves just before picking. Nothing 

 like it had been seen before, which is doubtless to be accounted for by 

 the fact that tobacco has not been raised on a large scale for many 

 years in Connecticut. There is danger of this species replacing Epitrix 

 parvula as a tobacco pest, the brown species doing the greatest injury 

 in the South, the black one northward. — F. IT. C. 



OX REMEDIES FOR GARDEX SXAILS. 



The year of 19<>3 was remarkable for the numerous complaints 

 made of snails and their injuries to ornamental and vegetable garden 

 and similar plants. From the District of Columbia and westward to 

 Minnesota, as well as in the more southern regions, these creatures 

 did considerable damage, their work closely resembling that of cater- 

 pillars. One of our correspondents, Mr. Phares R. Nissley, Landis- 

 ville. Lancaster County. Pa., wrote under date of February 29, in 

 answer to a letter in which we requested his experience in the use of 

 the remedies advised, that he had used air-slaked lime and salt, and a 

 mixture of salt and lime, and both were effective, but that lime was 

 the best remedy, and when even a small particle was dropped on a 

 -nail it would die in fifteen minutes. These remedies were practicable 

 when plants had got well started, but trouble came when tobacco and 

 celery seed were sowed. As soon as they were well sprouted the 



