1908.] Insect, Fungus, and other Pests. 



507 



apparently the immature form of the " Cottony Cushion Scale " 

 (Pulvinaria vitis). In its adult stage this insect rests upon a 

 large white cushion or pad of flocculent matter, which is really 

 the egg-sac. Against this pest spraying with paraffin emulsion 

 should be practised. 



A specimen of Brown Scale on gooseberry bushes (see Journal, 

 June, 1908, p. 195) was forwarded from Bawtry. 



Cabbages infested with aphides were forwarded from King's 

 Lynn. Spraying with paraffin and soft soap emulsion is 

 probably the only efficient remedy, although dusting the plants 

 with soot, or with lime and soot mixed, might do some good. 

 Badly attacked leaves should be removed and burned. The 

 plants should receive plenty of water, or preferably liquid 

 manure, in order to strengthen them against attack, and to keep 

 up a flow of sap. 



In reference to the note which appeared in the Journal for 

 September last, p. 436, on the subject of oat aphides, the 

 Board are informed that the damage varied considerably, 

 being greatest where the crop was very light, while the pests 

 were seldom found to attack a heavy crop to a serious extent. 

 It was, however, estimated that in the case of one field the 

 value of the straw was reduced by one-half. In another instance 

 half a field was sown with oats and half with barley ; the 

 oats were badly affected with aphides, while rone could be 

 found on the barley. 



Specimens of beans affected with aphides were received from 

 Rugeley ; aphis-infested larch from Bridlington and aphis- 

 infested spruce and Scotch pine from Morpeth. 



Various Pests. — Potatoes from Kettering were found to be 

 hollowed out by the eelworm (Aphelenchus pyri, Bastian). 

 Green stable manure should not be used in the rows when 

 planting. 



" Purples" or " Ear Cockles." — Ears of wheat ~ from Barton 

 Stacey (Hants) were affected by this disease, which is due to 

 the eelworm Tylenchus tritici, Bastian. Wheat is most subject 

 to attack, but other cereals are sometimes infested. Affected 

 grain should not be used as seed, though steeping it in a 

 solution of sulphate of copper is recommended as a remedy. 

 If the liquid is allowed to rise above the corn, and gently stirred, 

 the diseased grains will float and can be skimmed off. 



