90 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
Perg., is an insect which has attracted comparatively little 
attention in this State. It was noticed briefly in our preceding 
report, and during the past summer has become unusually abund- 
ant on many soft maples in the city of Albany. The birch leaf 
Bucculatrix, Bucculatrix canadensisella Chamb., was 
extremely abundant and injurious over an extended area in 1901, 
and during the present year has been almost as destructive in 
portions of the same area. The operations of several bark borers 
were brought to notice in 1901, and it is gratifying to state that 
the injuries by these destructive little creatures appear to be 
lessening. An interesting insect bearing the common name of the 
carrot rust fly, Psila rosae Linn., was brought to our atten- 
tion last December on account of its operations in celery at Broad- 
albin, Fulton co. This is believed to be the first instance of the 
insect being known to occur in the State. 
Office work. It is very gratifying to note that the interest in 
the work of the office and the demands made on its staff have 
steadily increased. The determination of scale insects for the 
commissioner of agriculture, in connection with the nursery 
inspection work of his department, makes considerable inroads 
on our time. Most of this delicate and important work has 
devolved on the first assistant, Mr C. M. Walker. Many photo- 
graphs of living insects or specimens of their work have been 
taken during the course of the year, and a number of lantern 
slides have been added to our collection, which has already been 
used to excellent advantage in illustrating popular lectures. The 
mailing list of the office has been largely increased during the 
past year, principally by paid subscriptions, showing that the 
public desires our publications and is willing to pay for them 
when the method of obtaining them is known. The correspond- 
ence has nearly doubled over that of the preceding year, as i8 
evidenced by the following figures: 1559 letters, 1811 postals, 
1842 circular letters and 2369 packages were sent through the 
mail during the past year. 
The resignation of the first assistant, Miss M. F. Boynton, 
made a vacancy to which Mr C. M. Walker, then second assistant, 
was promoted. Mr Douglas B. Young, of Ilion, having success- 
fully passed the civil service examination, was appointed second 
assistant. These changes in the office force can not be made 
