98 



glance showed that the insect was the true chinch bug (BHssus leucop- 

 term). That this species should suddenly appear in injurious numbers 

 in the midst of a densely populated city at a point hundreds of miles 

 away from the region of any rjrevious outbreak, and in a summer 

 marked by an unusual rainfall, and upon lawns kept closely cropped 

 and frequently watered, was a phenomenon of striking interest which 

 completely upset all preconceived ideas of what this destructive species 

 is liable to do. 



The writer visited Brooklyn early in August, collected specimens, 

 studied the conditions, and returned to Washington strongly impressed 

 with the unusualness of the phenomenon. Xo specimens of the insect 

 could be collected by industrious sweeping or careful exploration at any 

 point except in the immediate vicinity of the brown patches of lawn 

 grass. On August 5 the insects had begun to migrate, and kerosene 

 emulsion was so effectively applied that within a few days there was no 

 further damage. The bugs were present in enormous numbers, all full 

 grown, about one-third being of the long- winged form, and two thirds 

 of the short-winged. Xo signs of disease were noticed, in spite of the 

 unusual moisture conditions, which, when we consider the abundant 

 rains of the summer and the frequent waterings of the lawns, is proba- 

 bly unprecedented in the history of the species. 



The only previous destructive chinch bug outbreak in the State of 

 Xew York of which there is record is that of 1882, in fields of timothy 

 grass in St. Lawrence and adjoining counties in the far northern part 

 of the State. The Brooklyn occurrence is to be attributed either to an 

 accidental introduction into the heart of the city from the seacoast, or 

 to an unusual multiplication of a species always present in small num- 

 bers: but why should this unusual multiplication have taken place 

 in the face of conditions which, in the West, have always proven 

 destructive to the species ? 



POISONED POTATO SLICES FOR OXISCUS. 



A most admirable result of the use of slices of potato poisoned with 

 Paris green in greenhouses to destroy the sow-bugs, or pill bugs, which 

 are frequently brought in with soil and damage tender plants, has 

 recently come to our notice. An extensive lettuce grower in Michigan 

 (Mr. A. Loeffler) applied to us- for a remedy against these creatures, 

 which he said had already damaged his crop under glass to the extent 

 of 8400, and we advised the use of the potato trap. He had four 

 houses, each 20 by 100 feet. He sliced good, juicy potatoes, and his 

 men placed a slice to about every other lettuce plant. He followed 

 with a small blower loaded with Paris green and puffed it on the slices 

 while they were in place. It took two days to make arrangements. 

 As night came on, the sow-bugs emerged from their hiding places, but 

 instead of going to the lettuce as usual, they all made for the sliced 

 potatoes. He returned about midnight and found from six to eight 

 sow-bugs upon each slice of potato. In the morning, as he expressed 



