No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 157 



was infested, and in Ayr township, south of the borough, only 5 per 

 oent. Thus, it is seen that the scale is slowly spreading north and 

 south of the borough into the adjoining townships. 



During my inspections, I failed to meet any one who had sprayed 

 for San Jos^ Scale or any other insect pest. 



The people, especially those owning young trees, seem to just be 

 awakening to a realization, that they will have to do something to 

 prevent the spread of the Scale and to save those trees already 

 Infested. ^ 



I was received courteously by everyone and the farmers willingly 

 gave me the desired information. Those who owned infested trees 

 were always extremely anxious to receive directions for the suppres- 

 sion and extermination of the Scale. 



While Pulton county cannot be classed with the fruit producing 

 counties, jet the outlook for fruit for home consumption is fairly 

 bright. What the people need most seems to be lessons in pruning 

 and spraying, especially pruning, inasmuch as that branch of orchard 

 work seems to be entirely neglected. 



Concerning the suspension of the work, the result would be detri- 

 mental both to the Department of Agriculture and to the farming 

 community. It would reflect on the Department for starting such 

 important work without continuing it or without making a stren- 

 uous effort to continue it in case conditions arose, which made it 

 seem likely that the work would be suspended. The farmers and 

 orchardists would suffer, inasmuch as the majority of them depend 

 on the Inspector for the detection of the scale and other injurious 

 pests on their trees and upon the State Zoologist for their directions 

 for the examination of the same. The Inspector represents the 

 connecting link between the farmers and the latest scientific meth- 

 ods of combatting injurious insects and fungous diseases, as set 

 forth by the State Zoologist. Therefore the result of cutting this 

 link would be only too apparent. 



Huntingdon County. 



Inspector, James Bergy. 



District: Huntingdon, Juniata and Mifflin counties. 



Demonstration orchard at Huntingdon, in charge of James Bergy. 



I find quite a large number of the farmers in each of the three 

 counties comprising my district who take a very active interest in 

 my work and are eager for instructions about pruning, spraying 

 and fertilizing their orchards. They are beginning to realize that 

 it is high time to do something to protect their trees and shrubbery 

 from the San Jos^ Scale and other injurious and noxious insects, 

 and the fungus growths which infest them. I find this interest is 

 growing; the demonstrations made and meetings held during this 

 last summer were more largely attended than the ones held before 

 that time, people coming from considerable distances to attend 

 them, and those present seemed more anxious for instruction than 

 formerly. 



WTien I first started the work of inspecting the orchards in my 

 district for Scale many of the owners were indifferent, and in some 

 instances even hostile, objecting to my making any inspection what- 

 ever. This now is changed, and they are anxious to have an inspec- 

 tion made. A number have written me, or asked me verbally, to 



