No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 127 



The great dilficulty at present is, that we do not hav^e a room of 

 natural or normal climatic conditions (temperature and moisture) 

 in which to keep such specimens and obtain the important data of 

 their natural development outdoors. A most important point to 

 note for an insect is the date of its transformation when in natural 

 surroundings. This gives a clew to the practical remedies to be 

 recommended for its suppression or control. These dates differ in 

 different latitudes and altitudes in a season. The only thing we can 

 do is to work them out for this State in the l)est manner possible, 

 which we are undertaking, but in this we are seriously handicapped 

 by the lack of a proper room for keeping the cag&«; under normal 

 outdoor conditions. Such a room called an ''Insectary," is in use 

 by almost each working entomologist in the country. We tiust 

 that a room for insectary purposes wil Ije furnished very soon by 

 the Board of Public Grounds and Buildings. Its proper place would 

 be as, near as possible to the office, in order that a regular attendant 

 may give the cages the attention they need, and make necessary ob- 

 servations. 



8. DEMONSTRATIONS 



The demonstration work has been by all means the most con- 

 spicuous and most important feature of the year for this office. 

 This was prosecuted chiefly by two means: (a) Demonstration 

 Trains and (b) Demonstration Orchards. 



(a). Demonstration Trains. In 1910 the Pennsylvania and Cum- 

 berland Valley Kailroads again offered to equip and run trains for 

 demonstration purposes over their lines. We consequenth- gave 

 one week to the demonstration work on the Cumberland ^'alley, and 

 followed it immediately with two weeks on the Pennsylvania Eailroad. 



From the beginning the newspapers gave full and commendable 

 notices of the work, and the crowds of visitors increased in size 

 and interest until toward the end of the tour the train of two 

 full-sized passenger cars was entirely inadequate to hold them, and 

 it was necessary to conduct three or four meetings simultaneously, 

 in order to instruct all who came to any one station. The attendance 

 during this period numbered about ten thousand, and the interest 

 was greater than on any previous tour. 



Several booklets on Orcharding, written by the Economic Zoologist, 

 at the request of Mr. W. J. Eose, of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 

 pany, were printed and distributed by the Railroad, and the public 

 seems to find much interest in the plan of small, condensed and 

 convenient booklets, which can be carried in the pocket, and con- 

 sulted when needed. It became necessary to issue a second edition, 

 which was revised by the writer. 



At all times some of the officers, especially Division Freight Agents 

 and their representatives of the railroad companies, were with 

 us, and were successful in their efforts to render every possible 

 aid to make the tour profitable to the agricultural people. These 

 Demonstration Trains had much to do with the increased interest 

 in orcharding which has sprung up and is making itself manifest 

 by the better care of the orchards and increased planting. Our 

 thanks are due to the railrorfd companies for this valued and efficient 

 co-operation, 



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