1912 



ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



21 



prediction has proved to be true, it is curious to note that a provision of nature 

 this Spring helped to restore the balance to which we are more or less accustomed. 

 It can be seen from the Meteorological Eecords that the Spring was dry and 

 more or less warm, and devoid of late frosts at the time of blossoming. The apples 

 set well, the various varieties blossoming conjointly, and development taking place 

 very rapidly. Just at the time, after blossoming, when the developing fruits are 

 recommended to be sprayed, rain came and continued for a few days, interfering 

 with the process of spraying. It would be fairly estimated that not more than 

 50 per cent, of the apple growers sprayed during the important week following the 

 fall of the blossoms. The week of May 22nd was the time when the blossoms fell 

 from apples on the average for the whole district. 



The Plum Curculio {Conotrachelus nenwpliar). This insect was exceedingly 

 prevalent this year. I do not believe that it is given its due consideration by the 

 majority of the fruit growers in the district, as being one of the most satisfactory 

 means of reducing the proiits and yield of the various fruits in their orchards. 

 It is well known and very much dreaded by a great many, but from the fact that 

 it causes fruit to drop, its importance is to a large extent lost sight of. 



Fig. 



14. Codling Moth and its work, 

 showing the different stages. 



In the first four days of July of this year I examined a total of 3,300 apples 

 between Jordan and St. Catharines. At this time of year, before the development 

 of the second brood of Codling Moth had taken place, 15.06 per cent, of the apples 

 were infested with Curculio wliile 7.99 per cent, were attacked by Codling Moth. 



In a few days I had occasion to visit the Eidgeway and Fort Erie District, 

 and there examined a total of 3,100 fruits and found that 6.8 per cent, were 

 infested with Curculio as against 7.4 per cent, with Codling Moth. 



Summarizing the work in thes two districts, at this time of year,, I found that, 

 estimating from a percentage of fruits from 1,955 trees, with an estimated crop 

 of 1,310 barrels, the Curculio infested fruit would fill 161.25 barrels, that 

 Codling Moth infested fruit would fill 103.25 barrels (i.e., provided that fruit was 

 allowed to mature), while 787.36 barrels would be clean fruit. These figures were 

 obtained from the fruits on the trees at the time of examination. If the fallen 

 fruit had been taken into consideration, the increase in the percentage of Curculio 

 infested fruit would have been most marked, because many fruits had fallen, and 

 the cause of their falling had to some extent been due to Curculio attack. For 



