366 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOHD. 



cated this to be iin unsafe combination, and kerosene was substituted 

 for the crude oil on the majority of the trees. Spraying was begun 

 June 15. A detailed account of experiments in this orchard is given 

 from which, in connection with other work done by the author, the 

 following conclusions may be drawn: 



"In the treatment of San Jose scale it Ava8 found that kerosene is a very efficient 

 remedy, but when carelessly used it will injure trees. Whale-oil soap will also 

 injure fruit buds if applied early in the winter at a greater strength than 1 lb. to the 

 gallon of water. Crude petroleum was tried on all common orchard fruits except 

 the cherry without in any instance causing injury. This substance is recommended 

 as having the following advantages: Great penetrating power, lasting effect, and 

 causing a slight temporary change in the color of the bark which enables one to see 

 at once whether or not the application has been thorough. For work on the larvae 

 of the San Jose scale at a time when the leaves are in foliage, kerosene or crude 

 petroleum in a 10 per cent mechanical mixture with water is effective, but crude oil 

 is not to be recommended for this purpose on account of its bad effect on the 

 foliage. ' ' 



Among the natural enemies of the San Jose scale the author mentions 

 E.c()chomus tripu>itulatx(>< and Pent U in inisella. 



Report of acting field director [of Gypsy Moth Commission], 

 A. H. KiRKLAND {Mamichusdts State Bd. Agr. Rpt. lS99,pp. 356- 

 383, ph. 3). — In January part of the force was utilized in cutting over 

 infested woodlands and in February and March considerable cutting 

 and burning was done in various towns. During the year 2,300,000 

 trees were banded with burlap. In June 20 gangs of men operated 

 with spraying outfits. The spra^ang was especially effective, since the 

 season was unusually clear and dr3\ The inspection of burlaps was 

 carried on during July and part of August. During the autumn 

 months considerable attention was given to burning brush and the 

 destruction of eggs. 



As a result of sending circulars concerning the gypsy moth outside 

 of the known limit of infestation, 2 new colonies were found — one at 

 Newton and the other at Georgetown. Gangs of workers were at once 

 dispatched to these 2 new centers of infestation and stringent measures 

 were taken to exterminate the moth in these localities. Detailed notes 

 are given on the progress of the work in the various infested towns. 

 The general condition is said to be better and more encouraging than 

 ever before. 



Birds as destroyers of hairy caterpillars, E. H. Forbush {Massa- 

 v/ia.setts State Bd. Ayr. Rpt. 1809., pp. o 16-337). — The present article 

 is limited to observations on birds which feed upon the gypsy moth, the 

 broAvn-tail moth, the tent caterpillar, and the forest tent caterpillar. 

 A number of places were selected where serious outbreaks of one or 

 more of these insects had occurred and observers were stationed there 

 to record the frequency of the visits of different ])irds to infested trees 

 and, when possible, the number of insects eaten by these bird visitors. 



