NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



401 



Hoppers, Empoasca malt, (3) Green Apple Aphis, Aphis pomi, (4) Rose Apple 

 Aphis, Aphis sorbi, (5) Grain Aphis, Siphocoryne avenae, (6) Woolly Apple 

 Aphis, Eriosoma lanigera, (7) Oyster Shell Scale, Lepidosaphes ulmi, (8) Pear 

 Psylla, Psylla pyricola, (9) Pear-leaf Blister Mite, Eriophyes pyri, and (10) Apple- 

 leaf Mite, Phyllocoptes schlectendali. 



Nos. 1-6 and 8 are controlled by nicotine sulphate, 1 pt. to 800 pts. water, 

 and Nos. 7, 9, and 10 by commercial lime sulphur, 1-10. — G. F. W. 



Iris. By F. Denis (Rev. Hort. vol. xci. p. 362). — Hybrids have been obtained 

 from Iris aurea and I. fulvata, I. tectorum and I. pallida dalmatica, and from 

 I. Xiphium and /. filifolia. — 5. E. W. 



Kochia triehophylla (Le Jard. vol. xxxiii. p. 305 ; 2 figs.). — Kochia trichophylla 

 is an ornamental pot-plant and an addition to the open border. It is about three 

 feet in height and is covered with light-green foliage which turns dark-purple in 

 autumn. — S. E. W. 



Larch Chermes, Cnaphalodes strobilobius (Kalt.), A Contribution to the Life 

 History of the. By E. R. Speyer (Ann. App. Biol., vol. vi. Dec. 1919, pp. 171-182, 

 13 hgs., 2 plates). — This insect is usually known as Larch Blight, on account 

 of its secretion of white " wax-wool " on the leaves during the spring and summer. 



A detailed description is given of the parthenogenetic cycles on the Larch, 

 including the Sistentes, Progredientes and Sexuapara stages. 



A diagram is given to show accurately the origin and development of the 

 Colonici generations. The worst damage is done to young Larch plants, but 

 these can be cleared by fumigation. Spruce does not suffer severely when 

 young. The compulsory fumigation of all young Larch trees is urged before 

 planting, in order to give the plants a chance to grow away clean. Control 

 by spraying is confined to the sexual generation found during a short period in 

 the summer, but at present it is insufficiently understood to advise. 



The paper concludes with an account of the more satisfactory treatment by 

 sulphuric ether of preparing Aphidae for microscopic examination. — G. F. W. 



Leonitis dysophylla. By P. Haricot (Le Jard. vol. xxxiii. p. 306). — Leonitis 

 dysophylla, a native of S. Africa, is an herbaceous plant about three feet high, 

 bearing orange-coloured flowers. — 5. E. W. 



Light Traps, Female Lepidoptera at. By W. B. Turner (Jour. Agr. Res. xiv. 

 pp. 135-149 ; July 1918). — This paper gives the details of experiments made 

 to ascertain whether the accepted idea that nearly all Lepidoptera caught at 

 light traps are males — or, if females, that they have already oviposited — is 

 correct. 



Details are given of the experiments, and tables of the number of male and 

 female Lepidoptera caught by an arc lamp of 300 candle-power. In the case of 

 the females caught, the condition of the ovaries, whether spent or gravid, is 

 given. 



In seven cases out of twenty-four, the number of females caught was in excess 

 of the number of males. — G. F. W. 



Lime and its Uses and Functions in Soils, Some General Information on. 



By M. M. McCool and C. E. Millar (U.S.A. Exp. Stn. Mich., Special Bull. 

 91, Dec. 1918, pp. 21 ; 12 illus., 3 tables). — When applied to soils that are deficient 

 in it, lime may alter the structure, neutralize acids and other injurious sub- 

 stances, satisfy the silicates, make mineral plant food elements available, in- 

 crease the rate of decay of vegetable matter, make manures and fertilizers more 

 efficient, and supply lime needed in the formation of plant food. If the soil is 

 deficient in lime, the common crops, with few exceptions, respond to its use. 

 Field trials should always be conducted when one applies lime to the soil. It 

 should be applied in the rotation as near as practicable to the crops that are 

 most benefited by it, especially if small applications are made. Thorough mixing 

 with the soil is essential. Finally, lime should be looked upon as only one of 

 the conditions involved in permanent systems of soil fertility. Since its presence 

 in the soil results in a somewhat more rapid decay of vegetable matter, pre- 

 cautions must be taken to maintain this substance which is so vital to soil 

 productivity. — F. G. A. 



Loganberry, A Chemical Examination of the. By M. R. Daughters (U.S.A. 

 Exp. Stn. Oregon, Bull. 151, April 1918). — Though this fruit was only introduced 

 in 1884, the sales of its juice in 1917 amounted in value to over a million dollars. 

 The residual pulp has a high calorific value, and it is suggested that the addition 



