672 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



attacked one year and the other side the next year. The presence of beetles is sus- 

 pected also where woodpeckers are noticed working upon the trunks of spruce in 

 unusual numbers. A globular fungus (Polyporns rolvafus) is usually associated with 

 attacks of the beetle and is observed protruding from the holes made by excavation. 



A parasitic insect {Bracon simj^lex) and a predaceous heet\e {Tlianasimus nuMlus) 

 were observed preying upon the bark beetle. The most important bird enemies of 

 this forest pest are various species of woodpeckers. A few of the larv?e were found 

 suffering from what appeared to be a fungus disease. Severe freezing or sudden 

 climatic changes may kill the puii?e and young beetles to a slight extent. Among 

 the injurious insects which were found associated with the bark beetle, the two 

 most important were Pohigrajihvs rufipennis and Tetropium. dnnarnopterum. Extensive 

 experiments were conducted by Mr. A. Gary on the effect pf girdling certain trees 

 which were about to be cut for lumber, for the purpose of attracting the beetles to 

 them. The results are reported in detail, and it appears from these experiments that 

 the best period for girdling spruce trees to attract the bark beetle away from other 

 trees is at the time when the first puppe of the beetle begin to appear in the bark, 

 and extending from that time until the beetles begin to fly. It was found that the 

 beetles do not remain in dying or dead trees for more than one year. It is estimated 

 that 3 pairs of beetles to the square foot of bark, throughout an extent of from 

 10 to 15 ft. of the trunk, are sufficient to kill a tree. 



The remedial measures which are recommended in controlling this insect include 

 the regulation of winter cutting so that as manj' of the infested, dying, and dead 

 trees as possible may be cut and placed in the water before June 1 ; cutting trees 

 which have recently been attacked in summer and removing the bark from their 

 trunks and stumps; and girdling during the first \)2ivi of June the trees where logging 

 operations will be carried on during the following summer. The best method of 

 girdling is considered to be that of hacking through the bark with an ax around 

 the trunk about 2 or 3 ft. from the base. 



liOcust extermination {Agr. Jour. Cape Good Hope, 18 {1901), No. 12, pp. 820- 

 833; 19 {1901), Nos. 2, pp. 99-106; 3, pp. 165-171; 4, PP- 248-262).— This report 

 contains a summary of the investigations in locust extermination which have been 

 carried out in South America, Africa, and other countries. The so-called North 

 American fungus {Empvsa gnjUi) operates most successfully during the warmer, 

 • damper part of summer and attacks well-developed insects rather than young ones. 

 Experiments with the Argentina fungus, or Carcaraila, gave good results and indi- 

 cated that much may be hoped for from this fungus. Less satisfactory results were 

 obtained from the use of the South African fungus. Detailed notes are given on the 

 peculiarities of culture which are favorable to the propagation of fungus epidemics 

 among the locusts, on migrations of locusts, and the various influences which deter- 

 mine the course taken liy the armies of locusts. W. Roe reports success in destroy- 

 ing locusts by spraying with a soap solution, to which cyanid of potash was added. 

 A copy is given of the locust law passed by Argentina for the purpose of preventing, 

 so far as possible, the excessive damage from locusts. 



The Indian starling {Acridotheres tristis) was imported into South Africa for the 

 purpose of testing its value in the destruction of locusts. The birds were found to 

 destroy locusts in considerable numbers, but in some localities form the habit of 

 destroying fruit, which constituted a more or less serious objection to their further 

 importation. 



A general report is given by C. Frers on the invasions of locusts in Argentina 

 from 1898 to 1900. This report contains an account of the origin, development, 

 and extent of the different locust plagues which occurred daring that time, and 

 the routes followed by the adult and young locusts. The liil)ernating zone or 

 localities where winter refuge is sought most extensively by the locusts are indicated, 

 as well as the most frequented localities for the deposition of eggs. A classified list 

 is given of natural and artificial agencies which tend to the destruction of locusts. 



