
=] = 
at the following depths: One inch, none; 2 inches, none; 3 inches, none; 
4 inches, 2 per cent; 5 inches, 2 per cent; 6 inches, 4 per cent: 7 in- 
ches, 9 per cent; 8 inches, 9 per cent; 9 inches, 10 per cent; 10 inches, 
16 per cent; ll inches, 19 per cent; and 12 inches, 29 per cent?" 
TRUCK CROP AND GARDEN INSECTS 
C. A. Weigel, with Floyd F. Smith and Henry H. Richardson, from 
the greenhouse for the study of insects affecting ornamentals, Washing- 
ton, D. ©., recently completed an investigation of the life history of 
the gladiolus thrips (Taeniothrips gladioli M. & S$.) and the develop- 
ment of effective control measures for this pest. They summarize the 
results of their study as follows: "The habits of the insect seem to ba 
remarkably adapted to the culture of the gladiolus, because it attacks 
me plant throughout the year. It feeds on all parts of the plant 
above the ground in the field, goes into storage with the corms, where 
it causes injury during the winter, and returns to the field with the 
corms at planting time. The cormels appear to be free from attack be- 
cause of their protective covering." The report covers the habits, bi- 
ology, and several effective means of control which have been carried 
out. 
F. S. Blanton, Babylon, N. Y., submits a census of the lesser bulb 
flies (Eumerus) over the years 1929, 1930, and 1931. He says: "BE. tu- 
berculatus Rond. predominates with 94.5 per cent, 95.2 per cent, and 
98.2 per cent, respectively. E. strigatus Fall. for the same years 
was represented with 5.5 per cent, 4.8 per cent, and 1.7 per cent. 
Specimens collected from heaps of discarded bulbs (dumps) furnished 
This tends to show that E. strigatus seems more of a scavenger than E. 
tuberculatus. Early in 1931 one male and one female of E. narcissi 
were collected in a greenhouse." 
Randall Latta, Sumner, Wash., continuing his studies of vapor 
heat treatment, reports as to the effect of these treatments on the 
forcing qualities of narcissus bulbs that "the vapor heat-treated bulbs 
are giving pleasing results. Of the lots in bloom the treated bulbs ap-— 
pear equal to; if not better than, the checks, with one exception." 
He follows with details as to varieties. 
C. F. Doucette and Mr. Latta have tested the effect of hydrocy- 
anic acid fumigation on the forcing qualities of narcissus bulbs and 
Feport: "Lots of King Alfred bulbs were treated at weekly intervais 
from about August 1 to September 10 with the standard sodium cyanide 
dosage (7 ounces NaCN for 4 hours) * * * All the fumigated lots are 
blooming definitely ahead of the check and the flowers are of excellent 
commercial quality. Golden Spur fumigated for 18 hours in a dosage of 
12 ounces NaCN per 100 cubic feet has grown and produced flowers, but 
the stems are shorter than the check, the flowers slightly smalltr, 
and the period of bloom about a week later than the check. (This very 
