NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 
219 
controlling injurious insects and plant-diseases." The general conclusions 
reached were that dusting is still largely in the experimental stage, and at present 
should be used as a supplementary control rather than a substitute for spraying ; 
or as a means of control where spraying, for some reason, is not readily prac- 
ticable. The difficulties attendant on and the value of dusting vary from year 
to year ; and the greatest benefit has so far been obtained in hot and dry seasons. 
The need for more efficient dusting machinery is frequently emphasized. 
The various admixtures for dusting referred to are : Air-slaked lime ; 
lime-sulphur and nicotine (0*5 to 3 per cent.) ; sulphur, lead arsenate, nicotine 
sulphate, and powdered tobacco ; sulphur and lead arsenate alone ; copper- 
lime (20 per cent, dehydrated copper sulphate and 2 per cent, copper carbonate) ; 
Bordeaux mixture dust and hydrated lime ; lime-sulphur and sulphur dust ; 
copper-lime and arsenate of lead ; nicotine, kaolin, and ground stone lime. 
G. W. G. 
Orchard Trees, Beetles attacking. By W. W. Froggatt (Agr. Gaz. N.S.W. 
xxxi. pp. 421-426; 6 figs.). — The Shining Green Cockchafer (Anaplognathus 
chloropyrus) damages the foliage of orchard trees, and the larvae of A. analis 
devours the roots of strawberry plants. The White Striped Weevil (Perperus 
insularis) not only eats the leaves, but also attacks the bark of small citrus 
trees. An inverted funnel of stiff oiled paper fixed round the tree stem forms 
a useful trap for these pests. They can be collected and destroyed every morning. 
The Pitted Apple Beetle (Geloptera porosa) disfigures apples by biting through 
their skin. This beetle and the Perperus can be caught in sheets spread under 
the trees, if the branches are tapped or shaken in the early morning, when the 
torpid beetles fall to the ground. — S. E. W. 
Peach Growing in New South Wales. By W. J. Allen {Agr. Gaz. N.S.W. 
xxxi. pp. 127-133 ; 2 figs.). — Cling-stone peaches are preferred in canneries, 
and such varieties as ' Tuscan Cling,' ' Pelora,' ' Sims,' ' Phillip's Cling,' ' Golden 
Queen,' ' Goodman's Choice,' ' Pullar's Cling Golddust,' and ' Selima ' are recom- 
mended for growing in New South Wales. The trees are planted 20 feet apart 
in situations protected from strong winds and severe frosts. A light loamy 
well-drained soil is desirable. — S. E. W. 
Peach Tree Borer, Use of Toxic Gases as a Possible Means of Control of 
the. By E. B. Blakeslee (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Bull. 796, October 1919 ; 1 plate). — 
Of the various volatile compounds tested, paradichlorobenzene has been by 
far the most promising. While well known chemically, its value as an insecticide 
is of recent discovery. 
It is a crystalline solid at ordinary temperatures, insoluble in water, melting 
at 53°C, and boiling at i72°C. 
For six to fifteen year old trees of average size, doses of 1 ounce to a tree 
have been found effective in destroying borers without injury to the trees. 
The use of paradichorobenzene has been found to reduce the infestation on 
the average from 6*77 to o'4i-o'36 larvae a tree, approximately a 94 per cent, 
control. — -V. G. J. 
Peach Worm, The Striped. By H. G. Ingerson (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Bull. 599, 
March 1918 ; 4 plates). — The occurrence of this pest may be so local as to permit 
of the cutting out of the infested branches or terminals, and it will probably 
not occur in large enough numbers to cause much damage in orchards that are 
sprayed regularly with arsenicals. Should, however, the numbers warrant 
spraying, a single application of arsenate of lead paste, 2 lb. to 50 gallons of water, 
to which 2 lb. fresh slaked lime is added, applied when the first webbing of 
the leaves appears will satisfactorily control this insect. — V. G. J. 
Pear Cross-fertilization. By E. Wallis, " Pear- growing in Victoria " (Jour. 
Dep. Agr., Vict. Mar. 1920, pp. 149-158). — 'The Kieffer variety is perhaps the 
most noted self-sterile variety grown in Victoria ; planted alone, it absolutely 
failed to bear crops. In 1910-n, in cross-fertilization trials with four other 
varieties of Pear, good crops were obtained, each of the varieties proving equally 
effective as a cross. Branches of blossom of the other varieties were placed 
in the centres of Kieffer trees in vessels containing water. Over-blossoming 
may prevent a tree being fruitful, but in some varieties there appears to be a 
natural abhorrence to self-fertilization. Other factors influencing the fertiliz- 
ation of the blossoms are : fine sunny days during blooming time, and the 
presence of bees and other insects. Some sixty varieties of Pears are classified 
as early, intermediate, and late bloomers, and, to get the best effect from inter- 
pollination, it is advised to plant together those varieties that blossom at the same 
time, and avoid planting early flowering and late flowering together, placing 
the best commercial varieties first. 
