1906.] 



Miscellaneous Notes. 



375 



three-quarters of an inch long, and possess 20 feet. They feed 

 upon the leaves of the larch from about the middle of July till 

 the end of August. At the present time, therefore, few larvas 

 are to be found, but trees that have been attacked can readily 

 be distinguished by their more or less leafless condition, and 

 amongst the moss, grass, and leaves underneath such trees the 

 brown cylindrical cocoons will be discovered. Where this is the 

 case, the surface-covering of the ground should be collected and 

 burned. 



So far, serious damage has only been reported from Cumber- 

 land, where, however, the health, if not the life, of an extensive 

 larch plantation is in danger. 



It is of the utmost importance that outbreaks should be dis- 

 covered at an early stage, so that they may be suppressed while 

 still of restricted extent. 



The Board are preparing an illustrated account of the insect, 

 which will be published in the October issue of their JournaL 



Protection of Fruit Trees from Frost. — With reference to the 



notes which have been given in this Journal^'' as to the protection 



of fruit trees against frost, the United States 



Miscellaneous Consul-General at Berlin states that in the 

 Notes 



opinion of the owner of a large seed farm 

 near Berlin, who has experimented with various kinds of smudges, 

 these smoking processes may be used by the private individual 

 who seeks to protect his small garden against lateyfrosts, but in 

 large orchards and vineyards such means are notXpracticable, 

 both because they are costly, particularly when tar or patent 

 substances are used, and also because it is almost impossible to 

 produce a uniform smoke cloud over a large surface sufficient to 

 keep the cold away, especially when there is any wind. 



A writer quoted in the Queensland Agricultural fourual con- 

 siders that damp manure smothered with weeds makes the best 

 smudge and is more effective than tar and other materials. 

 Kerosene should be poured on the heaps. He recommends 

 keeping the manure in old sacks, as it can then be moved about 

 easily, and can be kept dry through rainy weather, so as to be 

 in good condition for lighting when required. 



* Journal, April, 1906, p. 57, and June, 1906, p. 184. 



