25^ Bulletin 159. 



Tent caterpillars. Of these pests there are two species, the 

 apple-tree tent caterpillar and the forest tent caterpillar. The 

 latter often works with the former in apple orchards, but it is 

 chiefly confined to woods, often defoliating sugar bushes. 



Studies of insects preying upon shade trees in cities and 

 villages. 



Plant diseases. — Several bulletins and parts of bulletins 

 have already been devoted to diseases infecting crops. Planta- 

 tions are inspected by the m^^cologist. During the past season 

 there has been an unusual correspondence relative to onion and 

 celery diseases, leaf-curl of the peach and blight of the pear. 

 In addition, the following special topics are now under investi- 

 gation : 



The three most important fungous diseases of the sugar beet 

 in this State will be discussed in a bulletin now almost ready for 

 the printer. Beet rot has received special attention and interest- 

 ing results have accrued, showing the connection of this fungus 

 with certain diseases common in the greenhouse. 



A rot of greenhouse tomatoes has been the subject of consid- 

 erable experimentation ; and experiments now in progress will 

 doubtless complete a determination of the conditions w^hich induce 

 the disease. 



Spraying peach trees for the leaf -curl has yielded satisfactory 

 results ; and the whole matter of the effect of Bordeaux mixture 

 on peaches, plums, etc., will be discussed in a bulletin to be pub- 

 lished in time for the direction of fruit-growers in 1899. 



Chr3\santhemum rust, dracsena leaf -blight, and a blight of 

 seedling red cedars, have received special attention among the 

 diseases of ornamental plants. 



d. ITINERANT TEACHING. 



Aside from all this w^ork of investigation and publication, the 

 people have requested instruction by teachers w^ho shall be sent 

 into their community. In the earh^ da3^s of the Extension work, 

 man}^ such schools were held, and the}' are full}' reported in 

 Bulletins no and 122. At the time, these schools were looked 

 upon as means of determining the needs of the farmers and the 

 most efficient methods of reaching them. The officer in charge 



