CONVENTION OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES. 5l7 



of seeds while others require a constant temperature; each particular 

 kind of seeds seems to possess its own optimum temperature for 

 germination. In another paper by the same author on The quality of 

 some commercial samples of grass and clover seed, specimens from 

 the Pan-American Exposition were exhibited illustrating the work of 

 the seed laboratory' of this Department, 



L. C. Corbett described the Arlington Experimental Farm, con- 

 ducted by this Department, together with its object and purpose. It 

 is planned to plant extensive collections of varieties of fruit to furnish 

 authentic new specimens for comparative j^tudies, and by planting 

 seed-growers' novelties to avoid duplication of varietal names. Tests 

 of cultural methods for fruits and crops and phenological investiga- 

 tions are to be undertaken. The plan received the hearty approval of 

 the horticulturists, and a number of suggestions were made of lines 

 which it was hoped might be taken up. 



J. S. Newman reported some observations on apple-twig blight, 

 F. D. Gardner exhibited specimens of a number of kinds of fruit from 

 Porto Rico, and H. J. Webber showed specimens of cowpeas which 

 are believed to be resistant to the attacks of nematodes. The latter 

 brought out considerable evidence of the possibility of obtaining 

 fruits and grains which are resistant to various diseases and pests. 



SECTION ON ENTOMOLOGY. 



The convention brought together a rather larger number of ento- 

 mologists than usual, due perhaps to the meeting of the Official Hor- 

 ticultural Inspectors in Washington at that time. 



J. B. Smith gave an account of a j^ear's experience with crude 

 petroleum in New Jersey. This insecticide was used successfully on 

 peach, apple, and pear trees, and all the scales which were touched by 

 it were killed. Crude oil was considered most effective on pear trees, 

 where under favorable conditions the San Jose scale can be entirely 

 exterminated even in a large orchard. The scale is djang in large 

 numbers on pear trees in the southern part of New Jerse}" and seems 

 to be rapidly losing its economic importance. 



H. T. Fernald discussed a few of the more important insects of 

 Massachusetts, notably the gypsy moth and the brown-tail moth. The 

 g3'psy moth was reported from several new localities and in slightly 

 increased abundance, and a colony was discovered during the 3'ear 

 near Providence, R. I. The brown-tail moth is found quite abun- 

 dantly in nurseries, and may become widelj^ distributed from such 

 sources. 



In a paper on Notes and suggestions, M. V. Slingerland urged the 

 continuance of the section, called attention to the desirability' of 

 greater uniformity in ])opular names of insects, and gave brief notes 

 on the outbreaks of a number of insects. 



