277 



appointed to bring- the matter before the legislators. It will be remem- 

 bered that in an early number of Insect Life we drew attention to 

 the novel means in use in Connecticut for destroying similar tents 

 which consisted in blowing them to '^kingdom come" from a sliotgun. 



RESULTS OF CODLING MOTH LEGISLATION IN TASMANIA. 



In the Neiv Zealand Farmer for July, 1892, we find a long and inter- 

 esting article under this caption, showing that the chief inspector of 

 the Hobart Fruit Growers reports that there has been a decided dimi- 

 nution of the Codling Moth in Tasmania as the result of the work of 

 the Board. The methods in use have been to destroy infested fruit 

 and to spray with Paris green at the rate of one ounce to 20 gallons of 

 water. 



A VINE PEST IN AUSTRALIA. 



Some of the South Australian newspapers have been publishing alarm- 

 ing items about a new insect which is attacking the vines in different 

 parts of that Colony. It is particularly abundant at a place called 

 Orroroo. Our correspondent, Mr. Walter 0. Hackett, determines this 

 insect as the larva of Chcerocampa celerio and states that on account 

 of its large size and conspicuous appearance it can always be kept in 

 check by handpicking. 



THE SUGAR-CANE PIN-BORER AGAIN. 



The Agricultural Record^ the official journal of the Central Agricul- 

 tural Board of Trinidad, for November, 1892, contains on pages 151 to 

 156 certain corresi^ondence upon sugar-cane borers, which is of great 

 Interest and importance. A letter from Mr. J. G. Coull, of St. Vincent, 

 addressed to the Eoyal Kew Gardens, September 7, 1892, transmits 

 specimens of canes the top portions of which have been injured by the 

 Larger Sugar-cane Borer {Diatrcea saccharalis) while the lower portions 

 were infested by Xylehorus perforans and Mr. Coull claims that the ob- 

 servations of the season have set at rest the controversy as to whether 

 the Xyleborus is the original cause of the damage to the canes, stating 

 that it has been satisfactorily proved that Mr. G. W. Smith, of Grenada, 

 and Mr. H. H. Smith, of Brooklyn, are correct and that the cane is pri- 

 marily attacked by the "Moth Borer" and that when its health has 

 been injured and acidity sets in, then the Xyleborus takes possession. 

 He states that the main attacks of the moth-borer are at intervals of 

 fifty to sixty days and that the proper time to destroy tliem is when they 

 attack the young sprouts in May, June, or July. At this time all plants 

 showing signs of disease should be cut out. Careful inspection in Au- 

 gust and September and again in November and December and the 

 burning of affected cane-pieces are recommended. Mr. Coull's letter 

 and specimens were referred to Mr. W. H. F. Blandford whose report is 

 appended. Mr. Blandford found the burrows of the Diatr<Ta and of 

 the Sphenophorus mentioned in Insect Life by Mr. Cockerell, and 



