New York AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 23 
ENTOMOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT 
The tussock moth wm orchards—— The tussock moth (Hemero- 
campa leucostigma) appeared in more than its usual numbers 
during the summer of 1908 in the rural districts of western New 
York. A noteworthy feature of the outbreak was the presence of 
the caterpillars in orchards in several communities, where they 
did considerable damage to young fruits. The ravages of the 
pests were especially noticeable in the vicinity of Lockport, 
Ransomville and Middleport. A bulletin prepared by the Station, 
No. 312, contains a very complete account of the hfe history and 
habits of the insect, with full instructions by which destructive 
outbreaks may be completely prevented. | 
Commercial lime-sulphur miatures.— During recent years, com- 
mercial preparations of the lme-sulphur wash have been intro- 
duced into this State, and in several centers of fruit production 
they have been extensively used to combat certain injurious in- 
sects and plant diseases. Thorough spraying with these mixtures 
at effective strengths has generally given satisfactory results on the 
scale and the blister-mite. The commercial brands appear to be 
efficient substitutes for the home-made wash. 
The attention of fruit growers is especially called to the varia- 
tions in the densities of the clear solution, and in the amounts of 
sediment in the different brands.. The range of density was from 
26.8 to 33.9 degrees Beaumé, and the variation in sediment was 
from 0 to 19.42 per ct. Manufacturers of the leading brands are 
now establishing a standard strength for their solutions which 
they guarantee to the purchaser. 
The strengths of effective’ mixtures forthe scale, using a solu- 
tion testing 33 degrees Beaumé, range from one gallon of the 
concentrate diluted with eight gallons of water to one gallon 
diluted with eleven gallons of water. In orchards in which the 
scale is not thoroughly controlled the stronger mixtures are recom- 
mended. A dilution of one gallon of the concentrate to eleven 
gallons of water makes an effective spray. Present evidence indi- 
