230 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2 GEORGE V., A. 1912 



for last year. For the protection of radishes and onions, the application of the helle- 

 bore decoction, using two ounces of hellebore to one gallon of water and watering the 

 plants about once a week, has given the most success. 



The Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) was unusually abundant in 

 Ontario, and was responsible for considerable loss to growers. Mr. Norman Criddle 

 aiso reported them from Manitoba where the worst outbreak on record was experienced. 

 This insect is gradually spreading through the west, and I found that it had already 

 arrived in the region of Edmonton, Alta. 



The Blister Beetles, namely, the Western Blister Beetle (Cantharis nuttalli Say), 

 the Grey Blister Beetle (Epicauta cinerea Forst.), and the Black Blister Beetle (E. 

 pennsylvanica De G), were abundant and destructive, especially to beans. The first was 

 especially abundant in Manitoba and their prevalence in such numbers may be corre- 

 lated possibly with the abundance of grasshoppers and locusts which were similarly 

 reported as injurious to cereals in Manitoba. Mr. Criddle described an extensive 

 migration of the locusts in July at Aweme, Man. The chief species were the Lesser 

 Migratory Locust, Melanoplus atlanis Kilev, and Packard's Locust, M. pachardii 

 Scudd. 



The weevil SUones hispidulus Germ., whose larva destroys clover, was abundant 

 at Orillia, Ont. Nysius ericce Schill, was reported from Medicine Hat, Alta., where 

 it was abundant and was attacking spinach, radishes, strawberries, lettuce, turnips and 

 corn. The Flea Beetle Haltica evicta Lee. was very destructive to turnips and cab- 

 bages at Halfway Lake, Alta., and the Hop Flea Beetle was again serious in the hop 

 yards of British Columbia. The Red Spider, however, was more injurious to the hops 

 than the Flea Beetle. I was informed that it was compelling them to cease growing 

 hops in some localities. Instead of a crop of six or seven hundred pounds to the acre, 

 two hundred pounds to the acre were produced and these of very poor quality. The 

 mite could be destroyed by winter treatment of the poles on which it hibernates; they 

 could be dipped in a caustic solution or in coal oil. 



The Pea Aphis (Macrosiphum destructor Johnson) was present in most parts of 

 Ontario. It appeared to check the vigour of the growing vines. 



INSECTS AFFECTING FRUIT AND FRUIT TREES. 



The commoner pests were reported in the usual abundance, and as the life history 

 and means of controlling certain of these, such as the Codling Moth (Carpocapsa 

 pomonella L.), the Budworm (Tmetocera ocellana Schiff), the Apple Maggot (Rhago- 

 letis pomonella Walsh), the Plum Curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar Herbst), Oyster 

 Shell Scale (Lepidosaphes ulmi L.) and Cankerworm were considered in the report 

 for last year, it is not necessary to repeat them at length. 



The Cherry and Pear slug (Eriocampa cemsi Peck), was injurious to cherry, 

 opple and pear orchards in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. 



Tent Caterpillars (Malacosoma spp.) were again extremely abundant in certain 

 provinces, namely in New Brunswick and British Columbia. One of our officers. Mr. 

 Tom Wilson, found the larvae in millions at and west of Mission, B.C., and at other 

 places in the valley of the Fraser River. Driving down to Upper Sumus, he found 

 that the whole country had been devastated by the caterpillars, no leaves being left 

 on the trees and the fruit hanging was half grown. 



The Red-humped Apple-tree Caterpillar (Schizura concinna S. and A.) was 

 very common in Ontario and was also recorded from Waneta, B.C., and Holmfield, 

 Man. In Ontario it was found to be fairly heavily parasitised by the ichneumon, 

 Limneria puignardi. 



The Cherry Leaf Beetle (Galerucella cavicollis Lee), which feeds on the wild 

 cherry, was reported from Halifax, N.S., as attacking cultivated cherries. Mr. L. 

 Caesar, of Guelph, found the Cherry Fruit Fly (Rhagoletis cingulata Loew) attacking 



