78 JOURNAL OP ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 3 



which has been neglected, and in order to encourage better care of 

 these places we have attempted to enlarge our inspection operations. 



In view of the fact that inspections of such properties, and advice 

 relative to their treatment, are made entirely free of charge, it has 

 been a source of wonderment why more advantage has not been taken 

 of this privilege. Until the present year an average of about one 

 hundred petitions were received yearly, and these came largely from 

 commercial orchardists, and from nurseiymeu for the purpose of 

 having adjacent places properly treated. Careful inquiry into the 

 matter has revealed the fact that many farmers, who do not pay par- 

 ticular attention to horticultural affairs, were not aware that such 

 inspections are made free of charge, while many feared that whole- 

 sale destruction of trees followed these examinations. Unscrupulous 

 fruit tree agents have largely been responsible for the latter impres- 

 sion, as such parties often wished to avoid, as far as possible, an 

 examination of the stock sold by them. 



A general inspection of the orchards of the state is out of the ques- 

 tion with the present funds available for this work. If, however, we 

 can make the demand for orchard inspection insistent enough, we feel 

 sure that our legislature will be induced to provide ample funds so 

 that sufficient aid may be given to all who desire to produce better 

 trees and better fruit. To this end efforts have been made to place 

 these opportunities before as many farmers of the state as possible. 



County infirmaries of Ohio are usually provided with fair-sized 

 orchards. Arrangements were made during the present year to hold 

 spraying demonstrations at these places. The meetings were well 

 advertised through county papers and mailing lists, and the orchards 

 being centrally located a large attendance was invariably secured. A 

 careful inspection of the orchards was made and different pests 

 pointed out. Several trees were properly pruned, young ones being 

 shaped in the way they should grow and old, large ones reduced and 

 thinned in such a manner as to permit thorough spraying. Spraying 

 solutions were next prepared and applied with a good spraying outfit 

 suitable for use in family orchards. At the close of the meetings state- 

 ments were made in regard to the value of orchard inspection and the 

 advantage of a conference with an inspector relative to controlling 

 the pests which might affect different orchards. Petition blanks were 

 then given to all desiring them and an inspection promised after the 

 receipt of these petitions. 



A number of county agricultural societies in the state have signified 

 a willingness to select orchards for the purpose of having demonstra- 

 tions given, and as many of these meetings as possible will be held 



