503 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



4 GEORGE V., A. 1914 



MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS. 



White Grubs (Lachnosterna) were very abundant in certain parts of Ontario. 

 This v, as expected, as the adult beetles occurred in enormous swarms in the spring 

 of 1911, in which year the eggs would be laid. One correspondent reported as many 

 as thirty grubs from one hill of potatoes, and fifteen to twenty grubs were quite 

 common. 



Wireworms were reported from every province. They destroyed potatoes and 

 root crops universally; in Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta they destroyed both winter 

 and spring wheat, and oats and clover were also attacked. Mr. H. F. Hudson, our 

 field officer in western Ontario, was instructed to study their habits and depredations 

 with a view to future work. The Seed Corn Maggot (Pegomyia ficsciceps) was 

 unusually injurious in Ontario. 



Our investigations on the control of Root Maggots were again continued in the 

 insectary grounds at Ottawa. 



III.— INSECTS AFFECTING FRUIT CROPS. 



The establishment, during the past summer, of field laboratories in most of the 

 1 rovinces has enabled us to begin investigations on the more important of the insect 

 pests affecting both orchard trees and small fruits. 



INVESTIGATIONS IN NOVA SCOTIA. 



In Nova Scotia, a laboratory (illustrated herewith) has been established at 

 idgetown, N.S., with Mr. G. E. Sanders in charge. A ten-acre orchard has been 

 placed at our disposal for experimental work in spraying by Mr. R. S. Eaton, for 

 whose co-operation we are indebted, at Kentville, N.S., where a series of experiments 

 on the control of the Bud-moth, Spilonota ocellana, was begun; conjointly, the control 

 of the Codling Moth and of the Green Fruit Worm, Xylina spp., is being studied. It 

 has been found that more than one species of Budmoth occurs, and that the spray 

 usually recommended for this insect does not control it. A larger species, 

 OJeth rentes frigidana Pack., not previously regarded as of economic importance, was 

 found to be injurious. The value of spraying and cultivation in the control of the 

 Green Fruit Worms, Xylina spp., chiefly X. bethunei, was investigated. In certain 

 sections these insects are responsible for a marked proportion of damaged fruit. The 

 first occurrence of the Apple Maggot, or Railroad Worm (Bhagoletih pomonclla), 

 in Nova Scotia, was discovered at Smith's Cove, N.S. It appears to be localized, 

 and the infestation in the affected orchard is light. 



SAN JOSE SCALE IN NOVA SCOTIA. 



' Not the least important of Mr. Sanders' work was the discovery, for the first 

 time, of living San Jose Scale (Aspidioius pcrniciosus) in Nova Scotia on nursery 

 slock imported from Ontario. The first case was discovered in the spring of 1912, 

 at Aylesford, N.S., during the Brown-tail Moth scouting work. We immediately 

 notified Prof. M. Cumming, Secretary for Agriculture for Nova Scotia, of the fact, 

 and arrangements were made without delay for the inspection by the Provincial 

 Government of all Ontario nursery stock planted during the years 1910, 1911 and 

 1912, and Mr. Sanders had charge of the provincial force of inspectors. Regulations 

 were passed by the Provincial Government under their Insect Pest and Plant Disease 

 Act to meet the requirements of the situation, and practically the whole of the west- 



