B.C. Entomological Society. 



Mr. Trplienie : In regard to the point raised as how to assist the farmer in 

 his troiililes, I need hardly say that it is one of the prime objects of the meetings 

 of this Society in the snnuner-time to worli with and help the fruit-grower to the 

 best of onr ability. It is a disappointment that more do not come to these meetings 

 if there ai-e complaints as to instructional work. We are trying to develop our 

 own literature, especially relative to our local conditions, but this takes time, and 

 we are a young Society and entomology in the Province is young. There is plenty 

 of literature from outside sources which approximate our conditions, and those 

 insects wliieh are to-day causing most loss in this valley are already well studied. 

 We have several, however, which are peculiar to this country which require study, 

 but study of this kind necessarily takes time for sound results. 



Mr. Hereron : What we need is compulsory spraying. All fruit-growers 

 should spray. Mr. Treherne is quite right ; available literature is to be had. 



Mr. Crease : Occasionally we have sudden outbreaks to meet which require 

 special treatment on the spur of the moment. We cannot always foretell outbreaks. 

 Many of you know we have had a great deal of trouble with grasshoppers, especially 

 in the Glenmore orchards. " The ranges have dried up and the insects are undoubtedly 

 hungry. I can inform you that Bordeaux mixture 4-4-50 will control grasshoppers 

 absolutely. 



Mr. Cunningham : I have been impressed with the points raised. One point in 

 particular should be carefully considered. Why are we not succeeding better in 

 the matter of the control of our orchard troubles? In the early history of this 

 I'roviuce fruit-growers had to work out their own troubles and conducted their own 

 business. Farmers' institutes now do the work, and the fruit-growers have become 

 dependent. Poultry, live stock, etc., are all mixed up, instead of settling on horti- 

 culture and giving all our efforts to horticulture. I hope we will be able to draw a 

 distinction between fruit-grower and farmer ; there is a difference. Mr. Crease is 

 quite right about the grasshoppers and deterrents. Arsenicals are not so good. 

 Heavy rolling of adjacent lands In spring will destroy grasshoppers. In regard to 

 the pathological diseases, irrigation has a most direct bearing. 



Mr. Tom Wilson : Grasshoppers this year are a burden. In the Similkameeu 

 countrj' the crops are eaten off. Patches of cabbages, etc., are being protected by 

 trapping. This has given good results, for when in numbers man.v are killed. They 

 are appearing in clouds and clover lands are bare. All this is due to climatic 

 reasons and drought. I have also noted that many trees around Armstrong and 

 Enderby have had their twigs injured. It is a mechanical injury. 



Mr. Taylor: Kolling grass for grasshoppers is good. Locusts in South Africa 

 are destroyed that way. When eggs are observed being laid in the soil a report 

 is sent to the Bureau of Agriculture, where a map is being kept sliowlng every farm 

 where eggs have been laid. These eggs will hatch out next year after a rain. 

 Weather reports are kept, and as rain falls men are sent out to get the locusts. 

 The locusts advance^ in millions, and the men go ahead of the horde with a water- 

 cart and spray a width with arsenite of soda and sugar. All are killed. The locusts 

 are gathered for poultry-feed or are made into flour for food b.v the Kafirs. As 

 regards farmers Institutes, It is my conviction that they are of little value. They 

 may be good lecturei-s, but the time is too short and the average farmer has no 

 knowledge to take all issues in. Take, for instance, a lecture on fertilizers. Unless 

 one knows chemistry the lectures are of little avail. I advocate short coui"ses for 

 fruit-growers. Even if you only get six to ten men interested, they would impart 

 information and tlie locality would be helped. 



I would like to say, before closing the discussion, that previous to the meeting 

 I met the Hon. Price Ellison, and he wishes me to convey to you all his best wishes 

 . for your success, as he is entirely in favour and appreciates the value of our work 

 as a Society. (Applause.) 



I will now call on Mr. Ruhraau to present his paper. Mr. Ruhman has been 

 appointed assistant to Mr. Eastham in the Pathological Laboratory at Vernon. 



