200 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



IMost of the defoliation occurred during the last two weeks 

 of July although stragglers were noticed up to as late as 

 August ID. 



A circular of information relating to this species was issued 

 from the Department. Since then there have been many 

 requests for information regarding the outlook for damage to 

 our forest growth for another season. In most cases in the past 

 when a species of insect has increased to such an extent as to 

 become a menace its decline is as rapid, and in a year or two 

 it generally disappears as quickly as it came. This is owing 

 to the rapid increase of its enemies, especially the many para- 

 sites that may prey upon it, or to the climatic conditions that 

 may favor the rapid development of fungous diseases. These 

 little agents are the more active for the complete control of 

 insect pests. 



While making the several inspections of the infested territory 

 it was a very noticeable fact that quite a per cent of the cater- 

 pillars were being destroyed by the Tachinid flies, predaceous 

 bugs, beetles and several species of Ichneumon flies, and that a 

 fungous disease was causing the destruction of countless thou- 

 sands of them. 



During the last week in October an examination was made of 

 a section that had been badly infested with the result that but 

 few living pupae were found. The surface of the ground was 

 literally covered with the shrunken remains of caterpillars. It 

 seemed that hardly one per cent had pupated, and many pupae 

 were diseased. 



This condition shows very clearly what may be looked for 

 another season. 



LECTURE WORK. 



More requests for lectures have been made than we could 

 possibly attend to, so that many have had to be passed by. Over 

 thirty lectures and addresses were given during the year, mostly 

 on some line of insect pests or fungous diseases. In the 

 majority of cases they have been illustrated by specimens. 

 There is a great field for this work but there are too many other 

 demands that must be met. 



