1910 E:f^TOMOLOCTlCAL SOCIETY. 21 



Certain species of birds, such as the starling, rook, jackdaw and tits were of 

 great importance in destroying the larvae in large numbers. A scheme of attracting 

 these species of insectivorous birds by means of nest-boxes was initiated and the 

 results of the experiment were very gratifying, 33 per cent, of the boxes being 

 utilized in the first year. 



A species of Cordiceps, a fungous parasite, was found to be destroying a large 

 number of the pupating larvae, and as the probable method of infection is terres- 

 trial, this fungus may prove to be an important means of natural control. 



The eradicative measures which were carried on against the larvae on the 

 young trees were spraying with lead arsenate and crushing the larvae when they 

 are in the "clustering" stage of their life-history, both of which measures were very 

 effective in preserving the foliage of the trees under 8 feet high. Such measures 

 of course cannot be employed in the case of large tracts of young self-sown larches, 

 such as occur in many places in Canada ; in such places natural means of control 

 must be relied on. 



NUESERY WOEK IN ONTAEIO. 

 By E. C. Treherne, Grimsby. 



It is with a great deal of pleasure that I am enabled to give you a report on 

 the Nursery work in Ontario. This year the Ontario Government, for the first 

 time since 1902, instituted a general summer inspection of the nursery stock of 

 Ontario, with a view to more effectually check the increase, distribution and rav- 

 ages of the San Jose Scale and other pernicious insects which are prevalent in the 

 nurseries, and also to gain a more precise idea of the nature of these attacks and 

 the extent of their prevalence. A report, such as I am attempting to present 

 to you at the present time, must necessarily be of a somewhat general character for 

 the reason that the work is not yet finished and the final report is not yet com- 

 pleted. Nevertheless I will endeavour to outline to you the course adopted by the 

 Government, which ultimately led to the formation of this summer inspection. 

 The inspection is principally aimed at the San Jose Scale, but other insects, fungi 

 'and plant diseases are alsio included. 



For the last three years sub-inspectors were appointed in the Niagara Penin- 

 sula where the bulk of the nursery stock is grown, and to quote from last year's 

 report, "It was the duty of these men to watch closely to see that all nursery stock 

 was properly fumigated before being shipped' out, and also to report any instances 

 of scale being found in the nurseries." Presumably the work of these inspectors 

 was sufficient to show that the scale had become localized in many nurseries, and, 

 in order to effectually combat the insect and prevent its spread it was expedient 

 to discover its breeding places and distributing centres. With that view, then, the 

 course of summer inspection of all nurseries was adopted ; the Act which had 

 already been passed prohibiting the sale of scale-infected stock was enforced, and 

 inspectors were authorized to break down, or otherwise prevent from sale, affected 

 stock in the nursery row. 



The work was started in the Niagara District early in August of this year 

 with two, and sometimes three, inspectors employed. They commenced at Stoney 

 Creek and worked through to Queenston and at the present time (Nov. 4), are 

 engaged in the Welland and Fonthill Districts. 



