NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 659 



tender parts. The eggs are deposited just under the epidermis of 



the fruit and leaf stems and young fruit ; the larvae, on emerging, 

 feed on the young leaves and fruit from March till April, and pupate 

 in the soil beneath the trees. 



The thrips is common throughout California, and Bagnal (in the 

 Jour. Econ. Biol. 4, 1909) reports the insect in England. 



Experiments with soil fumigants, fertilizers, and irrigation have 

 proved costly and futile. Ploughing and harrowing in the autumn, 

 followed in early spring by thorough spraying with a tobacco extract 

 containing 2f per cent, nicotine, diluted at the rate of one to sixty 

 in a 6 per cent, distillate-oil emulsion, has been found the most 

 satisfactory method of dealing with the pest. 



The circular contains formulae for the correct preparation of the 

 spray recommended. 



High-pressure spraying machines must be used, and the nozzle 

 held close against the buds, directing the spray into the ends of them 

 and not against the sides. — V. G. J. 



Pear Thrips, The. By P. J. Parrot (U.S.A. Exp. Stn. New 

 York, Bull. 343; Jan. 1912; 4 plates, 4 figs.).— The hfe-history of 

 the Pear thrips is given, and methods of treatment advised. In 

 spraying for this pest the author insists that two objects should be 

 kept in mind: (1) To kill the winged thrips, and (2) to destroy the 

 larvae after petals drop to reduce the numbers of the insects that will 



mature in the ground. 



A. Nicotine extract 2*7 per cent. (Black leaf) . . 6 qt. 



Water . . 100 galL 



Soap . . . . . . . . . 2 to 5 lb. 



or, 



Kerosene emulsion ...... 3 gall. 



B. Nicotine extract 40 per cent. (Black leaf) . i to | pint 



Water 100 gall. 



Soap 2 to 5 lb. 



or, 



Kerosene emulsion ...... 3 gall. 



Both these formulae are recommended. — V . G. J. 



Phosphate and Cvimarin. By J. J. Skinner (Bot. Gaz. vol. 

 liv. pp. 245-249 ; Sept. 1912). — Oumarin is found to be poisonous to 

 seedlings of wheat. The leaves do not unfold or are distorted and 

 curled. But by using either monosodium, disodium, or trisodium 

 phosphate the injurious effect of the cumarin can be overcome. 



G. F. S. E. 



Phosphate Fields of Florida. By W. H. Woggaman (U.S.A. 

 Dep. Agr., Bur. Soils, Bull. 76; Feb. ,1911).— The Florida deposits 

 are worked to an extent far outstripping all others in America and only 



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