94 SOME INSECTS INJURIOUS TO TRUCK CROPS. 
beetle, stated that the larva? of this species threatened to devour his 
this year's spring-set asparagus to the ground. But after one thor- 
ough spraying with arsenate of lead it was difficult to find any but 
dead larvae on the plants. Successive sprayings were of course neces- 
sary, because the beetles continued to come from neighboring gardens 
to deposit eggs on the plants and because the developing plants con- 
tinually presented fresh unsprayed foliage for larval food. 
Mr. Eames stated positively that arsenate of lead adhered well, 
even through several rains, just as its various promoters claimed — 
a fact which justifies its use in any case even at more initial cost 
than other poisons which might be used. He also expressed the view 
that asparagus growers generally should be impressed with the fact 
that, because of the tendency to spray only once, additional informa- 
tion should be given of the value of extra applications. In conclusion, 
he stated that he believed arsenate of lead was a specific for this 
class of insects. 
Our correspondent is undoubtedly right. It seems to be as nearly 
a specific for asparagus beetles as anything that can be obtained, 
provided it is applied according to directions and that applications 
are repeated as often as necessary. The trouble is that many truck 
growers, after spraying a single time, consider that the matter should 
then be dropped, and if the desired result is not produced, i. e., if the 
trouble is not wholly stopped, the spraying is condemned or at any 
rate the insecticide is discontinued, while all that is necessary for 
the entire season is a second or third application. 
A NOTE ON THE ASPARAGUS MINER. 
The asparagus miner (Agromyza simplex Loew) was reported by 
Mr. I. J. Condit in the vicinity of Antioch, Cal., August 19, 1908, 
where the common asparagus beetle was also abundant. The miner 
was said to be equally numerous and stalks showing infestation were 
received. The miner-infested stalks could generally be detected by 
their roughened appearance near the ground. 
This species was also taken by Mr. Condit at Oakley and it seems 
probable, since the common asparagus beetle is found in both local- 
ities, that it is becoming generally distributed in California. In one 
place at Oakley Mr. Condit observed the miner quite common on some 
stalks, but it did not appear to be equally common over the entire 
ranch. 
During October, 1908, the writer observed this species well estab- 
lished on asparagus in the vicinity of Portsmouth, Va. In October, 
also, Mr. J. B. Norton reported very severe injury to asparagus in 
the vicinity of Concord, Mass. The roots of the plants were not 
only girdled, but the miners worked up the stalks some inches above 
the ground. 
