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erably smaller than their host, but small enough to retain the beetles. 

 A tine mesh of what is known as bobbin-net mosquito netting would 

 answer the purpose admirably. It is somewhat doubtful if this remedy 

 would be profitable except on small beds. The parasites are undoubt- 

 edly of great value in keeping this insect in check, but it is probable 

 that none of the four species observed this year are i^eculiar to the 

 Strawberry Weevil. 



Taking advantage of our knowledge of the preference of this insect 

 for those varieties of berries which bear an abundance of pollen, we 

 might use the earliest staminates as a trap crop for the hibernating 

 brood of beetles. 



Trap Crops. — A few of these plants, e. g., ^^ Stevens," "Michel," 

 "May King," and " Hoftman" varieties might be planted in or near beds 

 of late growing berries, and the insects destroyed daily by the applica- 

 tion of insecticides, or, if sufficiently abundant, by beating them from 

 the flowers into pans filled with water, covered with a thin scum of 

 kerosene. 



As a trap for the new brood which hatches about berry-picking time, 

 the Wild Bergamot should produce excellent results. It has been 

 demonstrated this year that sweeping and beating after the second 

 week in May are of no avail against the early brood and it is doubtful 

 if these methods would be of much service in capturing the beetles 

 when more numerous early in the season on account of their habit 

 of dropping to the ground at the slightest alarm. But still later in the 

 season the insect may be readily captured with an ordinary sweep net. 

 They fairly swarm on the Wild Bergamot or Horse-mint when this plant 

 begins blooming during the latter part of June and thousands can be 

 captured at this time and destroyed. Later, after the first week in July, 

 the beetles are scarce. This plant has a wide distribution, being found 

 from New Hamj)sliire south to Florida and particularly Avestward. It is 

 a common and well-known si)ecies, but for the benefit of any who may 

 not recognize it by either of its popular names, it may be said that the 

 flowers are large, showy, and purplish or rose- colored, looking some- 

 what like gigantic heads of Eed Clover. The plant often grows in dense 

 masses and to a height of from 2 to 5 feet. The stem is square, leaves 

 opposite, and the flowers have a powerful and persistent and rather 

 agreeable odor. It is quite hardy and can doubtless be readily trans- 

 planted or grown from the seed, and if properly cared for might serve 

 as an ornament, as well as an insect trap. 



Our surest remedy, however, would be preventive. 



Covering Beds as a Preventive. — As a preventive it is only necessary 

 to cover the plants with some light material, such as muslin or ordinary 

 mosquito netting. Mr. Fletcher has suggested the use of old news- 

 papers for this purpose and j)ossibly they might prove of considerable 

 value. They should be placed with their edges overlapping and held 

 down with stones or clods of earth. 



