6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
observations show that, as a rule, fruit growers are experiencing 
much less trouble in keeping this scale insect in check than was 
the case in earlier years. Early spring applications of a lime- 
sulfur wash are giving very good satisfaction. Some parties are 
meeting with excellent results from applications of a miscible or 
so called “soluble ” oil. We have preferred, as a rule, to confine 
our recommendations to a material like the lime-sulfur wash, 
which is not only effective but safe and also valuable in controlling 
fungous diseases. Numerous observations have been made on the 
above mentioned and other insects. 
It is gratifying to state that conditions in the Chautauqua grape 
belt have materially improved, so far as injury by the grape root 
worm is concerned. Though this insect is generally distributed 
throughout the grape belt, severe injuries by it have been confined 
to restricted areas. The grape blossom midge was responsible for 
an unprecedented outbreak, destroying from 50 to 75% of the 
blossoms on one acre of Moore’s early grapes at Fredonia. It was 
generally present throughout the grape section and somewhat 
abundant in limited portions of certain vineyards. It is probable 
that this species has been responsible for failure to fruit in other 
cases where the losses were attributed to some unknown cause or 
possibly to unfavorable weather conditions. This insect is now 
under investigation. We hope to solve its life history next spring, 
a necessary preliminary to devising a practical method of pre- 
venting serious injury in the future. _ 
Shade tree protection. Ravages by the elm leaf beetle have 
been very severe in many Hudson valley cities and villages and, 
as a result, popular interest in the welfare of our shade trees has 
increased greatly. This concern has been accentuated by exten- 
sive defoliations inflicted by the white marked tussock moth, a 
species which has been quite injurious in Buffalo for some years 
past. 
Injuries by these and other shade tree pests have emphasized 
most strongly the recommendations of the Entomologist and, as a 
result, more than ever before is being done to protect our shade 
trees. The work of the city forester of Albany has been very 
beneficial, though owing to certain hindrances his work was not 
as effective as it might otherwise have been. The city of Buffalo 
has at last committed itself to a definite policy of shade tree pro- 
tection. A forester was appointed and excellent work has already 
been accomplished in that municipality. The authorities of several 
