Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y., May 20, 1898. 

 The Honorable Commissioner of Agriculture, Albany: 



Sir : This bulletin is submitted for publication under Chap. 67 of 

 the Laws of 1898. It has been prepared by Mr. M. V. Siingerland 

 and embodies the results of experiments extending over two years and 

 the latest reliable facts related to the subject had under investigation. 



In 1896, an insect known as the quince curculio was so destructive 

 in some localities as to lead growers of the quince to seriously consider 

 the advisability of cutting down their orchards. Early in 1897, a 

 critical study was begun of the habits of the curculio, and continued 

 during the season until its life-story and habits had been ascertained. 

 Observations show that there is little, if any, probability of poisoning 

 the insect with an arsenical spray, and that early cultivation has but 

 little effect upon it, thus disproving two of the so-called "remedies" 

 by which it has been supposed that the pest could be reached. Our 

 study of its life reveals some striking variations from its habits of the 

 preceding year. By carefully watching the insect in the cages at the 

 insectary, v/e were enabled to give several large quince growers warn- 

 ing that the pest was appearing in alarming numbers nearly two 

 months later than its schedule time of the preceding year. By follow- 

 ing our suggestions, one extensive grower of the quince, whose crop 

 was nearly an entire failure in 1896, due principally to the work of 

 curculio, secured in 1897 the finest crop of quinces he ever harvested. 

 A few careful observations in the cages at the insectary upon the 

 habits of the curculio resulted in the saving of hundreds of dollars 

 worth of fruit in a single orchard. 



I. P. Roberts, 



Director. 



