Marking studies demonstrated that lady beetles, lacewings, syrphid flies and parasitic wasps fed on nectar or pollen provided by borders of flowering plants around farms; many insects moved 250 feet into adjacent field crops. Studies using the elemental marker rubidium also showed that syrphid flies, parasitic wasps and lacewings fed on flowering cover crops in orchards and that some moved 6 feet high in the tree canopy and 700 feet away from the treated area. The use of nectar or pollen by beneficial insects helps them survive and reproduce. Therefore, planting flowering plants and perennial grasses around farms may lead to better biological control of pests in nearby crops.A A close up of toothpick weed (A. visnaga) covered with beneficial insects. 4 Entomologist Andrew Corbett sprays a rubidium solution onto toothpick weed (A. visnaga) at Lindell Farms in Fresno County to track the movement of beneficial insects.

Summary. The persistence of trifluralin was investigated at 3 sites in southern Australia over 8 years. Persistence varied from year-to-year, with the highest persistence being recorded at all sites in the dry year of 1984. Trifluralin persistence (expressed as a percentage of the initial measured concentration) 1 year after application was lowest at Rutherglen (7–22%), followed by Dooen (7–26%) and Walpeup (13–120%). Trifluralin degradation at Walpeup in 1984 was negligible. The resultant high residue concentrations would have posed a threat to subsequent crops. However, 1 year later after the subsequent fallow, the residue concentration had dropped to more typical levels. Trifluralin did not accumulate after repeated application (either 1 or 2 years apart) at all 3 sites. It was found important to measure the amount of trifluralin in the soil immediately after application because the trifluralin concentration could not be assumed from the rate. Soil concentrations immediately after application ranged from 32 to 138% of that expected from the nominal application rate. Therefore, measuring initial concentrations when comparisons were to be made between treatments, years and sites, was essential. In addition to studies of 1 year persistence, trifluralin concentration was also measured 2 years after application at Walpeup and Dooen. There was evidence to suggest that the rate of degradation over the same 1 year period, was different for a recent application when compared with weathered trifluralin residues from a previous application. Correlations between persistence and various weather factors indicated that the most influential factors were those that occurred in the first 60 days after application. These included total rainfall, effective rainfall (rainfall minus evaporation) and average maximum temperature.

CALEWCotton is a user-friendly computer program that simulates human problem-solving behavior. Growers can use this system to help manage crop production or predict the effects of any one decision on subsequent events. In 7990, more than 700 cotton producers have taken advantage of the CAL EWCotton computer program. Production of any crop requires many decisions before and during the growing season. Keepingtrackof all the information required for management or predicting what the influence of any one decision might have on subsequent decisions is difficult. Also, incorporating new knowledge and technology into existing farming practices is a slow process, requiring careful consideration to avoid any adverse side effects. Integrated expert systems are computer programs that hold promise for managing and coordinating the information required for optimal crop production. Expert systems simulate the problem-solving behavior of a human who is an expert in a narrow area. The knowledge base of agriculture is anything but narrow, and rarely is there only one solution available for a particular problem. An integrated expert decision-support system can help a grower make decisions that involve several alternatives, and can address several, often competing factors. These computer programs combine database management, regression models, simulation models, and rule bases (a rule base is like an "advisor:" it contains knowledge in a format conducive to problem solving). Components and development Monitoring for pests is a fundamental element in integrated pest management. Here, Area IPM Advisor Bill Barnett checks almond leaves for twospotted spider mites.

fire, and lie said his method was the result of fifty years' deep meditation and trials. In this pamphlet he does not give the key of his method, but asks for. subscriptions to buy his ovens, and to induce amateurs to try it, he gives statistics of the profit each hatching gave every year. Bonnemain, moreover, assures us that he did obtain this success during fifteen years, and it was only after his establishment was ruined by the invading armies, that he asks for aid and assistance from the government, capitalists, and amateurs ; but all failed him,, either from disdain, want of confidence, or from political motives. The price of his boxes was very high, the small ones costing $2 00 an egg, and large ones 75 cents. His fire regulator was considered a very useful invention. Martial Bonnes, mathematical professor and astron

The most Important States and County Agricultural Societies in the United States.