In employing the most up-to-date methods in the prosecution of his business, the American farmer endeavours to get the best return for his labours. The adoption of the latest prophylactic measures for combating the fungus and insect enemies of his crops, is but a single instance of that progressiveness which is characteristic of the man.

The State Agricultural Experiment Stations encourage the farmer in many ways and are of genuine practical value in dealing with local problems. The establishment of similar institutions in this country would be quite justifiable.

The experiments with various fungicides and insecticides were carried out in the State of New Jersey. They were intended to demonstrate how a larger yield of potato tubers per acre might be procured by the employment of scientific methods of spraying and dusting.

The principal fungus diseases attacking the potato are early blight (Macrosporium solani), late blight (Phytophthora infestans), and dry rot (Fusarium oxysporum). Late blight, which levies a heavy toll on the potato crop in America, is injurious in New Jersey only in exceptionally wet seasons. A pathological condition of the leaves known as “ tip-burn ” is in some years responsible for a reduced yield.

Of the various treatments applied, Bordeaux mixture vindicated itself in each case. It is not only a most excellent fungicide, but also an effective insecticide when arsenate of lead is added. Both the Colorado and flea-beetles were better controlled by the Bordeaux-lead arsenate mixture than by any of the other insecticides used in the field experiments.

Bordeaux mixture acts as a plant stimulant by maintaining the green colour of the leaves for a longer period. This naturally means larger tubers.

Thoroughness of application of the Bordeaux mixture and frequent repetition of the treatment, at least once every ten days, are necessary for effectiveness. Care in its preparation is strongly advised. Sufficient lime must be used to ensure that all the copper sulphate is changed to the hydrate form, otherwise burning of the leaves may ensue.

The use of Bordeaux mixture may increase the value of the yield of tubers anything from £3-£5 per acre. The increase, however, varies considerably in different localities and in different years.

Sulphur did not quite realise expectations as a crop stimulant. Various proprietary Bordeaux mixtures proved less economical and less efficient than the home-made article.

The cost of spraying or dusting varies according to the locality, but of all the treatments applied, home-made Bordeaux mixture always proved cheapest.

Concurrent experiments carried out in the laboratory and field with many insecticides additional to those used in the large field tests, were the means of discovery of an insecticide which seemed to fulfil all requirements in controlling the flea-beetle. It is composed of a combination of pyrethrum infusion, gelatin or soap, and lead arsenate. Extended trial will, however, have to be made to establish its efficacy.

The fenestration of the leaves by the flea-beetle, besides materially reducing the assimilating surface of the leaves, also renders the injured tissue more susceptible to the attack of various cryptogamic diseases. This is notoriously true of early blight.

Counts made of the fenestrations of the leaves on a large number of shoots, gave an idea of the intensity of the damage caused by the flea-beetle at any one period. A comparison of the counts made on plants treated with different substances, supplied a rough estimate of their value in controlling the pest.

For a true interpretation of the results of the field experiments various factors must be considered, amongst which not least are the physical and chemical conditions of the soil, previous cultivation and the vagaries of the weather.

A Braconid parasite (Perilitus epitricis) of the flea-beetle was reared from adult captured specimens. Its behaviour in relation to its host was closely observed in the field, especially the manner of its oviposition. No figures were obtained of the percentage of parasitism, but it is considered that the Hymenopteron is practically a negligible factor of control.

The theories at present widely accepted regarding the connection between the SIMOLIIDAE and pellagra have brought this family of blood-sucking flies very much to the front in recent years, and have rendered it highly desirable that accurate information should be available concerning the different species, their distribution and habits. It is in the hope that the facts brought forward may be of use at some future time, and that the way may be cleared for further research, that the present investigation has been undertaken. The writer has examined over 1,000 pinned specimens, including the material in the British Museum, the Cambridge Museum and the Edinburgh Museum, together with a large number of additional specimens kindly lent by various private correspondents. The result of this examination will, it is believed, go some way towards an elucidation of the European species of this family.

Adult female reddish or brownish ochreous with a dark marginal zone, to uniform dark castaneous. Broadly oval to sub circular; flat; margin evenly rounded, without trace of stigmatic clefts (fig. 1, a). Anal cleft completely fused, its position marked by a slight ridge and thickening of the derm. Anal operculum approximately central, the distance from posterior margin of body to anterior extremity of operculum being equivalent to nine-twentieths of the total length. Valves of operculum (fig. 1, d) elongate; basal edge nearly twice as long as outer edge; inner edge more than twice the length of the outer edge. Antenna (fig. 1, c) 7-jointed: formula, 3,7, (2, 4), 5, 6, or (3, 4, 7), 2, 5, 6. In some examples there are traces of a division in the third joint.

The collection contained no new species; but, as little is known of the COCCIDAE inhabiting the Fiji Islands, it will be useful to place the names on record.

Ovisac white, strongly convex, broadly oval, narrower behind; very closely felted and tough. Length, 3·0 to 3·50 mm. Breadth, 2·25 to 2·50. mm.

The species of Leiognathus described below apparently has a very wide distribution in Africa and is also found in Mauritius, China, India and South America. It seems indeed to be the common blood-sucking Gamasid mite of poultry in these countries. As it is highly probable that this parasite transmits spirochaetosis, and perhaps other diseases of the fowl, it is desirable that further information about its distribution and life-history should be obtained. Two instances of this mite attacking man are recorded below in the list of localities.

On initiating this investigation my first aim was to discover a small isolated fly area, such as those described as “ primary fly centres ” by Dr. Shircore (Bull. Ent. Res., v., pt. 1, p. 87), with a view to carrying out experiments in the clearing of bush and endeavouring to reduce the numbers of the fly by systematic capture on a large scale.

In view of the possible danger of the introduction of yellow fever into the Far East the Government of Hong Kong has instituted a very thorough investigation of the mosquitos occurring in the Colony, and the Governor has recently forwarded to the Colonial Office an interim report by Dr. Harold Macfarlane, the Government Bacteriologist, to whom the work has been entrusted.

In connection with investigations into the life-history, etc., of Glossina morsitans in Northern Rhodesia, special efforts have recently been made to secure parasitesof the fly. As a result, a considerable number of Chalcidoids have been bred frompuparia collected between August and December of last year at Kashitu (LI. Lloyd)and Mwengwa (R. A. F. Eminson). These interesting Hymenoptera have now beenforwarded to the Imperial Bureau of Entomology by Mr. Lloyd, Chief Entomologistin Northern Rhodesia, with the parasitised puparia and some relevant notes. Onthis material the present report is based. The collection contains three species, representing as many widely separated groups in the superfamily Chalcidoidea.Two believed to be new are described below, the types being deposited in the British Museum.