28 



tion they travel equally well backward or forward. As to the damage done by these 

 larvae it far exceeds, on new-plowed meadow-land, any pest that has visited this sec- 

 tion for several years. 



I visited 80 acres of corn yesterday afternoon that had been plowed once — corn about 

 4 to (j inches high, that in a few days will be destroyed ; there were from 1 to 20 larvae 

 in every hill and its vicinity. The second year from meadow is not entirely exempt 

 from these pests, but on older plowed lands I do not find it. Of the enemies of the 

 larvae I find birds, the Crow, Black-bird and the Thrush, near hedges busy. Ants 

 are busy destroying and driving the larvae from their retreats. There may be two 

 broods up to the present time as I find a few larvae not over one-half an inch long that 

 have only moulted once. After each change the larva comes out less hairy. My first 

 observations began about April 10. My first captures of them when larvae were about 

 one-fourth of an inch long, and feeding entirely on the leaf of the early corn, cutting 

 it in small boles. These larvae never drag the cut-off leaf or plant into their retreat as 

 the cut-worm does, but farmers attribute all the present destruction of corn to the 

 corn '* cut- worm " which has nothing to do with it. As soon as the larva changes into 

 the pupa state I will send you some by mail so as to reach you safely. A very dry 

 autumn and continued cold winter has been favorable for all insect life. * * * — 

 [JohnC. Andras, Manchester, 111., May 30, 1888. 



Second reply. — Letter and specimens acknowledged, and the latter determined to 

 be Anaphora popeanel la Clem. 



GENERAL NOTES. 



EFFECTS OF LONDON PURPLE ON FOLIAaB. 



Our esteemed correspondent, Mr. J. Lather Bowers, of Herndon, Ya., 

 after considerable experience, makes the following estimate of the 

 strength of solutions of London purple which different trees and shrubs 

 can endure while in bloom without injury : Plums, English varieties, 1 

 pound of London purple to 160 gallons of water ; apples and raspber- 

 ries the same proportions; apricots, 1 pound to 200 gallons; cherries, 

 1 pound to 250 gallons ; peaches, 1 pound to 300 gallons. Mr. Bowers 

 further states that he has discarded Paris green and will always use 

 London purple in future. 



THE TULIP-TREE SCALE-INSECT. 



The Rural Neic Yorker of May 10, 1890, contained a little editorial no- 

 tice of the damage done by Lecanium tulipiferce Cook with a rough figure 

 of an infested limb. The tulip trees upon the Rural Grounds are said 

 to be " now so disfigured by this disgusting insect that they will have 

 to be destroyed. The branches are covered with the scales which resem- 

 ble so many chronic sores. The infested branches first turn black, as if 

 scorched by fire, and then die." The editorial mention concludes with 

 the statement : 



There is practically no way of fighting this insect. The kerosene emulsion, if ap- 

 plied at the right time, and at repeated intervals during two or three weeks, would, 

 no doubt, afford a temporary relief. 



