193 



Rebuttal of Wier's Statements regarding the Plum Curculio. 



Following the line of iuvestigation, as a rebuttal of D. B. Wier's statements regard- 

 ing the behavior of the Plum Curculio I am able to furnish the following report, 

 based upou close observation of a few of our practical men during the present season: 



(1) There has been no preference discovered as to the varieties of plums attacked. 



(2) A large portion of the eggs deposited in the Wild Goose Plum failed to hatch, 

 but enough did to destroy about two-thirds of the crop. 



(3) Native varieties (wild) of plums are no more exempt than those in the culti- 

 vated grounds. 



Sprcujing with London purple. — This work was begun as soon as the blossoms ap- 

 peared and followed up to the time the fruit was fully formed. In the same orchard 

 several trees were omitted in the spraying treatment, and as large a per cent, of 

 sound fruit was gathered from them as from those sprayed. The solution was suffi- 

 ciently strong to burn some of the leaves, as it was my x^rivilege to observe. 



The Bag or Basket Worm has been quite numerous at Parsons, Kans., this year 

 upon large Red Cedar trees. Spraying with London purple has been thoroughly ap- 

 plied and failed. Can you advise any other means besides hand-picking? — [G. C. 

 Brackett, Kansas State Horticultural Society, Lawrence, Kans., September 25, 1888. 



GENERAL NOTES. 

 GRAIN INSECTS IN AUSTRALIA. 



Just at present the colony of South Australia is considerably ex- 

 ercised over the Hessian Fly and other grain insects. Last July we 

 received a communication from Mr. F. S. Crawford asking for our opinion 

 concerning the importation of the five iDrincipal grain pests from Europe 

 and from this country into Australia in grass hay. We replied that 

 from the life habits of the insects we imagined that there would be little 

 or no danger respecting the AVheat Midge [Diplosis tritici), the Eibbon- 

 footed Corn-fly {Chlorops twniopus), or the Wheat Saw-fly {Cephus pyg- 

 mceus). The Hessian Fly {Cecidomyia destructor) and the Joint- worms 

 (Isosoma spp.), however, might be so imported, as both hibernate in the 

 straw. We also informed him that in our opinion a restriction compel- 

 ling the burning of straw or hay packing would be far preferable to any 

 legislation for x)reventing the importation of goods so packed, as in the 

 former way no disturbance to commerce would result and the scheme 

 could be so much more easily carried out and practically enforced. If 

 the packing should be simply grass hay, the danger would be much 

 slighter than if wheat, rye, or barley straw were used. 



The matter was brought before the meeting of the Bureau of Agri- 

 culture at Adelaide, on September 17. It seems from the report that 

 none of the insects in question have as yet made their appearance in 

 the colony, although the recent well-founded scares in England and in 

 Kew Zealand have suggested to the Australians the necessity for the 

 utmost precautions. Against the measures suggested as preventives 

 of the fly's introduction it was contended that too much importance 

 was attached to the alleged risk, and that it would be a most serious 

 12357— No. 6 3 



