THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



ENTOMOLOGICAL PICNIC 



The members of the London Branch of the Entomological Society oi 



Ontario held their annual picnic at Maple drove Fruit Farm, the pro- 

 perty of Mr. W. Saunders, on Wednesday, July 26th. They assembled 

 at 1 p.m., and were conveyed in vehicles to the place of rendezvous. 

 The day was fine, and although the bright sunlight brought heat in its 

 train, it was so tempered by a refreshing breeze as to make the ride 

 quite enjoyable. 



On arrival at the grounds the party, which numbered about 40, soon 

 distributed themselves among the small fruits. The raspberries being in 

 season attracted the most attention. The Philadelphias were still heavily 

 laden with well-ripened berries, and the Doolittle and Mammoth Cluster 

 black caps, although past their prime, added to the enjoyments of the 

 occasion. The assembled representatives of Entomological science were 

 expected to do double duty, and while freely partaking of Nature's 

 bountiful and refreshing gifts to take note of such insect enemies as 

 affected the raspberry both in fruit and foliage. The programme in 

 this respect was found impracticable, and it was unanimously decided 

 by the parties concerned that to do one thing at a time and do it well 

 was the most sensible way of proceeding ; so the few insects abroad 

 were allowed to retain peaceable possession until the gastronomic re- 

 quirements of the company were met. Among the red raspberries. 

 the black caps and the well-ripened gooseberries of which there was 

 an abundance- the various groups into which the party was divided 

 feasted until small fruits ceased to be attractive, when a line of march was 

 formed to the picnic ground, at the back of the farm, where numerous 

 baskets containing hidden treasures had already been conveyed. 



The route lay through the plum and pear orchards- the former con- 

 taining 500. the latter over 1700 trees, most of which are now three 

 years planted. We observed that some of the dwarf pear trees were 

 already fruiting The vinery, containing over 1000 vines, two or three 

 hundred of which were in bearing, next claimed attention : the Con- 

 cords were especially admired for their vigorous appearance and large, 

 well-filled clusters of grapes. The trees in the cherry orchard, num- 

 bering over 300, were now in order ; and these, although young, ap- 

 peared remarkably thrifty and healthy, and promise well for fruit 

 another season. Behind and at one side of the last mentioned is an 



