EST DAMAGE to rice plants in California most frequently occurs during the first two months of the growing season. This injury is generally caused by the tadpole shrimp, the rice leaf miner, and the rice water weevil. The first two pests are found throughout the rice-growing areas of the State. They may be responsible for a reduction in plant stand from April to June but their activity is greatly reduced or of little consequence by early July. The rice water weevil, presently limited to the northern rice growing counties, will feed on the rice plants during the entire growing season. This weevil very seldom causes a loss of plant stand, but the feeding of the young on the roots may stunt the plant and reduce the yield if the larvae are abundant.

The nutrient content for the 17-month cycle of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) needles from the upper, middle, and bottom parts of the crown was determined for the first growth whorl of 1959. Needle weight per fascicle increased until April 1960 and then decreased slowly until abscission. Percentages of N, Ca, and Mg were greater in the needles from the bottom part of the crown, whereas P and K percentages were greater in the upper part of the crown. Percentage of N in the needles increased during winter months after the first growing season. Phosphorus percentage decreased each month for 1 year and then increased slightly. Calcium and Mg percentages in general increased throughout the growth and maturation of the needles with the content approaching a constant value during winter months. The basic influence of the soil on some plots was reflected in a two-fold difference in Ca and a three-fold difference in Mg content of the mature needles. It appears that about one-half of the N, P, and K are translocated from the needles immediately before abscission. The results of this study indicate that needles of the first growth whorl of the season at the top of the crown should be sampled in August and September of the first growing season for P; from December through March for K, Ca, and Mg; and from June through September of the second growing season for N.

THE IMPORTANT DEHYDRATING chili pepper industry in California is located in the coastal counties from Santa Maria to San Diego. The loss of agricultural acreage in these areas is necessitating a search for new areas of production. Inland valleys of central and southern California offer extensive acreages for this crop, but differ from coastal climates by higher summer temperatures and shorter growing seasons.

The soil moisture and infiltration characteristics of Nicotine Sand were investigated using techniques described previously. Two dyes (Rhodamine and Fluoresceine) were found useful in defining the "wetted profiles". The results are discussed in terms of the irrigation amounts, frequencies and techniques suitable for this soil type. It is concluded that frequent light applications using spray irrigation would be required. This soil is of low irrigation potential and its development for tobacco growing would require further investigation.