34 EXPERniEXTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v.. A. 1915 



indicated that an immense amount of valuable timber is being destroyed by various 

 injurious insects which were studied. A preliminary account of this invest ig'at ion, 

 in which control measures are recommended, has beeai prepared and is now in the 

 press. 



Serious insect damage was discovered in Stanley Park, Vancouver, B.C., and 

 the control of the responsible species is now being studied with a view to advising 

 the Parks Board in regard to the conservation of this valuable piece of virgin 

 forest. 



Th<*' Forest Tent Caterpillar again defoliated large areas of poplar, birch, maple 

 and other deciduous trees in Eastern Canada, particularly in Quebec and New Bruns- 

 wick. It was found that bacterial disease' destroyed large numbers. The ppnice 

 Budworm and Larch Sawfly continue to spread; the former being very prevalent in 

 the New Brunswick forests. 



IXSECTS AFFECTING DOMESTIC ANIMALS AND MAN. 



An investigation was undertaken with a view to testing the value of various 



substances as insecticides in the destruction of house-fly larvae in manure piles, as 



^the control of the house-fly under rural conditions is an important question. Of 



the various insecticides used, chloride of lime scattered over the manure as it is 



piled gave the best results. 



Further inquiries were made concerning the obscure disease known as 'tick 

 paralysis ' in children in British Columbia. 



MISCELLANEOUS WORK. 



Experiments have beeii made on the destruction of mill-infesting insects by 

 su pier-heating as a substitute for fumigation, with gratifying results. The study of. 

 insects affecting greenhouses has been continued, chiefly in Toronto greenhouses, by 

 Mr. Ross. 



APICULTUHE. 



During the year a beginning has been made in the organization of the apicul- 

 tviral work on the different Experimental Farms with a view to giving the subject 

 the attention it deserves, and which is now rendered possible by the appointment 

 of Mr. Sladen. He has continued his work on queen-rearing and varietal tests, a 

 number of queens having been imported from European countries. Bees have also 

 been shipped successfuly in wire ' combless ' cages from Ottawa to Indian ITend, a 

 distance of over 1,600 miles. 



GENERAL. 



One of the outstanding features of the year's work has been the demonstration 

 of the value of the policy which has been extended during the year of establishing 

 field or regional laboratories. The direct contact with the farmers and fruit- 

 growers, and with their problems, has increased the value of the work, and the oppor- 

 tunities of rendering immediate assistance t^D a degree more in keeping with the 

 requirements; as a result great satisfaction and appreciation have been expressed 

 by those in whose interests we are working. 



During the year the Dominion Entomologist has visited the different parts of 

 the Dominion, and also visited Oregon, California and Utah, where the entomo- 

 logical conditions, particularly in regard to the Potato Tuber Moth and the Alfalfa 

 "Weevil were studied. Messrs. Gibson, Swaine and Sladen, in addition to their other 

 duties, attended meetings and delivered addresses. 



