304 JOUENAL OF THE ROYAL HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Four hurdles were arranged as a support, and the whole covered with a 
waterproof cloth. A small vessel was placed on the ground in the centre 
of the heap of bushes. 100 cubic centimetres of water (about 4 oz.) were 
added, followed by an equal volume of strong sulphuric acid. 36 grammes 
(about IJ oz.) of commercial 98 per cent, potassium cyanide was 
wrapped in thin blotting paper and dropped cautiously into the vessel of 
acid. The hand was at once withdrawn, the canvas carefully pressed 
down all round with lengths of timber. After one hour the cloth was 
removed and the operation was complete. 
A careful microscopic examination failed to show a single living mite. 
All were dead. Mr. Theobald conducted a systematic microscopic analysis 
of the treated buds, and established the fact that this treatment had de- 
stroyed all the mites. Eggs were also [apparently] absent. The bushes 
have now been planted out in disease-free soil, and are under constant 
inspection. At present everything points towards a successful cure. A 
fortnight later a second batch of young bushes was similarly treated, and 
with identical results so far. 
The cost of chemicals is only about a penny per thousand bushes, and 
the labour involved trifling. All cuttings should be fumigated before 
being set. Black Currants so quickly come to a good bearing size, that it 
would be well to grub a badly infested plantation and start afresh with 
sterilised young stock. 
To the above report Mr. A. D. Hall, the Principal of the College, has 
kindly added the following : — " I am not by any means disposed at present 
to definitely recommend the hydrocyanic process other than by way of 
experiment, and until we have seen more results I should prefer to say 
nothing. If the process recommended be carried out in the winter, when 
the temperature is low and the bushes in a dormant state, no injury what- 
ever is done to the plants. The real difficulty lies in the eggs of the 
mite — it seems to be always laying eggs, except perhaps in the very 
coldest weather ; and though we are now sure the adult mite is killed by the 
treatment we are still doubtful about the eggs. The treatment of large 
bushes in situ has failed on the whole." 
2. Mealy Bug in Vinekies and Conservatories. 
Through the kindness of Colonel Eeady of Goudhurst, and Mr. 
Hammond of Ramsgate, we have been enabled to try the effect of cyanide 
fumigation under a variety of conditions. We are greatly indebted to 
them for permitting admittedly risky experiments with valuable vineries. 
Three vineries. A, B, and C, have been twice treated, as also a large con- 
servatory. In each case the attack of Mealy Bug was severe. 
Vinery A. 
Capacity, 3,430 cubic feet. 
Early variety. Treated when vines in full bloom : 
Cyanide, 18 oz. ; acid, 27 fluid oz. ; 1 quart water. 
Temperature, 60 deg. F. Time, half an hour. After sunset. 
BestUt. — Mealy Bug destroyed, foliage unhurt, but three-quarters of 
