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TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL INSECT INVESTIGATIONS. 
G. L. Marlatt, In Charge. 









_  I% will be of interest to members of the Bureau to know that the cotton fumi- 
mating plants in Boston, concerning which several notes have been given in previous 
mumbers of this monthly letter, are now in active operation. Over 1200 bales of 
cotton have already been fumigated in the two plants now available. These plants, 
furthermore, are being rapidly enlarged so that ultimately their capacity will be 
Pp: -oximately 1000 bales a day each. It is very satisfactory to know that these 
plants are in successful operation, inasmuch as this large-scale work has been 
nitherto on &@ somewhat theoretical basis. As previously noted, this work represents 
the largest insect fumigating plants which the world has ever seen, and undoubtedly 
very much the largest investment ever made for this purpose. 
_ We are also advised that the fumigation plant at Oakland, Cal., to meet the 
seds of the port of San Francisco, is again in readiness. In common with ons of 
@ plants in Boston, this Oakland plant had a breakdown, not having originally been 
ade strong enough to stand the vacuum cage hen A similar plant is in process Cie 
) the same kind available 1% New York City. Plants at other ports are also being con- 
templated. These are all private concerns, and make a regular charge for disinfec- 
sion. wet 
+ Dr. Back has returned to Washington, and is engaged in writing up his general 
report on the Mediterranean fruit fly. 
ae Horton has closed up his station at New Orleans and has left for Southern 
| Ca ifornia to study the Argentine ant as affected by Pacific Coast conditions, He 
11 do this work in cooperation with Mr. Woglum at the Pasadena Station. The 
Ca alifornia end of this investigation will probably be completed within two or three 
| months. 
Mr. Yothers is about to take up a new phase of the citrus insect problem of 
Plorida, namely, a study of the insects and insect control in relation to the exten- 
sive cultures of limes on the Florida Keys. Mr. Yothers has been requested to submit 
a detailed project plan of this work for approval. 
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