166 ANNUAL, RIIPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



citizens, and from my exxjerience during occasional trips to neighbor- 

 ing counties, 1 am led to believe that the same sentiment prevails 

 elsewhere. 



The farmers agree that it would be a loss to them in many ways, 

 and it would be e.sjjt cia.iy > , i ii.iablc in view of the fact that many 

 of the tree growers have practically only started their advance- 

 ment and are looking to the State for assistance, now that the work 

 has begun. Interest has just taken hold of the tree growers as a 

 class, and to abandon the work now would mean a retrogression 

 to old conditior.s and the undoing of all the excellent work which 

 has already been accomplished. 



Instead of abandoning the work, let it be better cultivated and 

 spread over a wider territorry. This end could probably be more 

 easily achieved if Inspectors of the Department were accorded the 

 privileges of speaking at the various Farmers' Institutes, where the 

 subject could very properly and beneficially be discussed. 



Lehigh County. 



Inspector, E. C. Bowers. 



District: Lancaster and Laliigh coun-ties. 



See report of Inspector Bowers, under Lancaster county. 



Lycoming County. 



Inspector W. G. Winner. 



District: Lycoming county. 



Demonstration orchard at Williamsport in charge of Inspector 

 Foster. 



Report prepared in office of the Zoologist from notes and corre- 

 spondence of W, G. Winner, and C, E. Myers, both of whom have 

 been engaged as inspectors in this county. 



In Hughesville borough. San Jos^ Scale was found almost every- 

 where. In the vicinity of Williamsport, it was so. bad in 1907 that, 

 by the end of 1908, one-half of the trees might be expected to die, 

 and the other half be almost beyond redemption. Leaf blight 

 was very bad in the middle and northern portions of the county, 

 especially affecting the Baldwin and Smith's Cider trees. The dis- 

 ease carries over from year to year, preventing the development of 

 normal crops. 



Where spraying has been resorted to, success or failure has re- 

 sulted according as the farmers have, or have not, followed the 

 directions given in the Zoological Bulletins. Some damage has been 

 caused by the use of lye solutions. 



Prior to 1908, probably less than 5 per cent, of the properties in- 

 spected showed infestation, and less than 2 per cent, of the trees, 

 taking the entire rural territory covered. In 1908. the condition was 

 found to be worse, where spraying was not done. It has spread to 

 places where two years age, it was not. The season of 1908 has 

 been very favorable for its further spread. 



Decided interest was shown two years ago in the attendance of 

 farmers, at the dpmonstrations given to show how to destroy San 

 Jos6 Scale, though only one farmer in fiUy knew San Josd Scale, at 

 sight. Now, many having learned to know San Jos6 Scale, are en- 

 thusiastic in thfnr interest in spraying. 



Progress can not be as rapid if the office suspends this work as 



