NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



251 



maries of the laws in force in the West Indies at the present time, 

 together with directions for preparing and using insecticides and fungi- 

 cides, and general accounts of hydrocyanic acid gas, carbon bisulphide, 

 sulphur dioxide, Bordeaux mixture, and corrosive sublimate. Eefer- 

 ences and titles of books bearing on the subject are given. 



(1) Hydrocyanic acid gas. Very poisonous. Injurious to leaves of 

 plants. 



loz, of cyanide for each 300 cubic feet (1 grain to 10 cubic feet). 

 Amount of sulphuric acid is 1| times that of cyanide. 

 Amount of water 1^ times that of acid. 



It is useful against scale, mealy bug and any pest on surface of 

 plant. 



Plants and leaves must not be wet. 



Use good cyanide (98 per cent.) and high grade sulphuric acid. 



(2) Carbon bisulphide. — Does not injure foliage and with ordinary care 

 not dangerous to operator. 



Heavier than air and inflammable, penetrates downwards. 

 lib. per 1,000 cubic feet (lib. to 100 bushels of grain) apply from 

 above. 



For ants, 1 or 2 oz. of liquid, in several doses, stopping up holes. 

 Improves growth of crops where it has been used. 



(3) Sulphur dioxide. — Destructive to living plants but used to fumi- 

 gate cotton seed for oil. Kills insects and rodents. Very penetrating. 



Used for fumigating dwelling houses. 



Use 5 per cent, gas and leave room closed 24 hours. 



(4) Bordeaux mixture. — Copper sulphate 4 lb., lime 4 lb., 50 gallons. 

 With the addition of Paris green, arsenate of lead, &c., may be sprayed 

 on trees and kill insects as well as fungi. 



Arsenic more adhesive with Bordeaux mixture than without. 



(5) Corrosive sublimate. — Used to treat cotton seed for planting. Also 

 seed for storing against insects and rodents. 



Injures tissues of living plants. 



lib. to 100 gallons or loz. to 7^ gallons water. 



Immerse seed completely, shake thoroughly, then dry seed. 



C. H. L. 



Dry-Lands in the Great Basin. By F. D. Farrell (U.S.A. 

 Dep. Agr., Bur. PI. Ind., Circ. 61; July 1910). — Investigations 

 'conducted on experimental farms in connexion with State experiment 

 stations with a view : 



(1) To submit to comparative tests varieties of different grain crops 

 Jrom all sections of the country and from foreign countries having the 

 '!3ame climate and soil conditions. 



(2) To develop pure types through selection from which to increase 

 .seed for distribution and to obtain foundation stocks for further 

 Improvement. 



I (3) To produce winter-resistant types in order to extend the area 

 i)f winter grain. 



