No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 143 



For tbe larger success of our work I beg to offer the following 

 suggestions:! 



1. The establishment of more demonstration orchards, especially 

 in the most important fruit growing sections. 



2. Securing an experimental orchard by the Bureau, for testing 

 the oil sprays at dilferent strengths for injury to trees. 



3. Broader and more thorough preparation of the Inspectors on 

 all (^conomic subjects of horticulture by semi-annual "Round-ups" 

 or institutes of one week. 



4. Making the Inspector available for consultation on these sub- 

 jects whenever and wherever needed in their respective districts. 

 (This should make Pennsylvania the greatest fruit State in the 

 United States.) 



5. Providing for promotion of Inspectors, based on efficiency and 

 time of service, and corresponding increase in salary. 



6. The enforcement of the law providing for the destruction of 

 peach yellows. 



Our work must be continued, for, while much has been accom- 

 plished, much remains to be done. The public is awakened but only 

 sitting on the edge of the bed and not yet dressed. We must keep 

 up our campaign of education until every tree owner is convinced 

 that without (s) praying there is no salvation and that the spray 

 pump in the hands of the competent operator is the best friend man 

 ever had. 



Allegheny County. 



Inspector, W. G. Gish. 



District: Allegheny County. 



Demonstration Orchard at Oakdale, in charge of G. W, Sloop. 



Investigations this season were extended to Penn, Richland, Wil- 

 kins, O'Hara, Versailles, K Versailles, Patton, Scott, West Deer, 

 Harmar, Plum, Baldwin, Shaler, Upper St. Clair, Hampton, Pay- 

 ette, Indiana, Union and Ross townships, all of which are completed, 

 except a small part of Harmar, West Deer and Plum. The follow- 

 ing boroughs have been inspected: Greentree, St. Clair, Knoxville, 

 Oarrick, West View, Oakraont, East McKeesport, Edge wood, Wil- 

 kinsburg, Braddoek, East Pittsburg, Swissvale, Sharpsburg, Mt. 

 Oliver. Crafton, Heidelbnr/:';, Dnnuesno, Mnnhall, Homestead, Carne- 

 gie, West Liberty, Sheridan, Walls, Aspinwall and Pitcairn, also a 

 portion of city of McKeesport. If informed correctly, this is the 

 first inspection made in Allegheny county within two years past. 

 I am of the opinion the localities visited are fairly representative 

 of the entire county, and the report of the conditions existing in the 

 locality visited will be representative of those not visited. 



Allegheny county's suburbs are growing rapidly into residential 

 districts, thereby replacing the farms and orchards. Owing to 

 the proximity of manufacturing districts, farmers complain about 

 being unable to retain help for necessary farm work. 



With but few exceptions, your representative was welcomed by 

 the farmers and orchardists, and froni the many expressions re- 

 ceived, they were loud in their praise that the Department of Agri- 

 culture has taken steps to make an investigation for the much 



tW'e wish specially to call attention to the recommendations of Inspector Herr and to en- 

 dorse his statement that such work fully carried out should make Pennsylvania the grreatest 

 fruit producing- State in the UnitPd Ptates. Note that the success of methods and sugg-estinns 

 depend upon thOrnug-hly competent and estahlished local Inspectors who are ready for im- 

 mediate service wherever needed and who must have the confidence of the people in the 

 community. 



Experimental orchards for testing the spray materials Is also a very important feature.— H. 

 A. S. 



