Decemljer 1. 1920 

 To His Excellency J. A. A. Burnquist. 



Governor of the State of Minnesota. 

 Dear Sir : 



In compliance with the law I have the honor to present herewith 

 a report on the activities of the State Entomologist for the year ending 

 December 1, 1920. 



Our three funds, the state entomologist fund, the nursery inspec- 

 tion fund, and the special fund for white pine blister rust would indi- 

 cate that the work is organized along certain verv definite lines. As 

 a matter of fact the work as planned this year is very closelv knit to- 

 gether. The men in the field, whether in nurseries, on farms, or in 

 the forest, were constantly on the lookout for plant pests, barberries, 

 and a special disease of white pine. Close cooperation was effected 

 with the Division of Plant Pathology and Botany, at University Farm, 

 in the matter of plant diseases and barberry eradication ; with the 

 United States Department of Agriculture on barberry eradication and 

 the white pine blister rust survey, and with the state forester on Ribes 

 eradication. 



In reporting this work, the principal subjects of interest will be 

 briefly outlined. 



Inspection of nurseries. — The nursery business in Minnesota con- 

 tinues to increase. The older firms are enlarging their business and 

 new firms are starting. It must be remembered that all our cultivated 

 flowers, shrubs, and trees come from this source. With the constantly 

 increasing demand for such material it is well to bear in mind the 

 necessity for keeping such stock in a perfect condition. Our depart- 

 ment, therefore, is to be regarded as the Health Bureau of the plant 

 industrv of the state. 



As a rule improved labor conditions were reflected in the appear- 

 ance of nurseries throughout the state. Inspection this year was ex- 

 tended to include a large number of orchards, special attention being 

 given to those of commercial size. We were able to give helpful in- 

 formation to several orchard owners and we hope that this part of the 

 work can be enlarged next year if sufficient funds are provided. Ap- 

 proximately two hundred twenty-five towns were covered in the in- 

 spection of nurseries and orchards. A total of 163 nurseries were 

 inspected, the larger ones being inspected three or four times during 

 the season. Eight deputy inspectors were employed on this work, two 

 ■of them during only part of the summer. 



