170 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, 
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Out of upwards of 400 pupz that I collected I failed thus far to rear a single par- 
asite. Of course these, if there are any, may not mature until next spring at the 
time when the imagos of the Saw-flies issue. Birds do not appear to feed upon — 
them, neither will domestic fowls. oe 
As aremedy against their rapid increase I would suggest the clearing away of =~ 
all rubbish from beneath the hedge soon after the last worms have disappeared. 
This can be done withan ordinary gardenrake. Therubbish should then be burned. 
A good method would be the supplying of an artificial retreat for the larve, com- 
posed of finely-cut or broken straw as a mulching, which could be easily removed 
and afterwards burned. 
This insect has always occurred here in moderate numbers upon the willows 
growing along the smaller streams ; and upon the introduction of the planted trees 
with the more favorable retreats has succeeded in becoming numerous and at the ~ 
same time one of our dreaded insect enemies, 
OTHER INSECTS. : 
Besides the above-named insects. the willows and cottonwoods in this and ad- 
joining States suffer greatly from the continued attacks of the Striped Cottonwood 
Beetle (Plagiodera scripia). This beetle was again exceedingly numerous and de- 
structive in this and several other counties in this portion of the State. While 
large trees and those on low ground seldom suffer greatly from .their attacks, 
small trees, and especially those growing upon elevated grounds away from streams, 
are often killed by them. 
Their natural enemies are chiefiy those that are known to destroy the Colorado 
Potato Beetle (D. 10-lineata). Among these enemies the various species of Lady- 
birds are chief. . 
Several species of Ciirysomeia and Disonycha have also been quite numerous dur- 
ing the season just passed. These worked upon the foliage of several kinds of 
willow growing along the Elkhorn. They also were sufficiently numerous inmany 
isolated localities to entirely defoliate the trees. 
Last, but not least to be dreaded, is the Strawberry Crown-borer (Tylodermafra- 
garic, Riley). This insect has been gradually on the increase throughout eastern 
Nebraska during the past few years, until now it has come to be recognized as one 
of our insect enemies. It not only attacks the tame varieties, but also works upon 
the wild vines. During the past summer I noticed it at work in a number of 
strawberry beds in this immediate vicinity, in one instance almost entirely de- 
stroying a large bed of several thousand plants, which the owner thought resulted 
from drought alone. It chose the Wilson in preference to the Crescent Seedling 
upon which to work, at least three times as many of the former than of the latter 
being destroyed. 
There were many other insects belonging to the various orders that were ob- 
served to injure crops and useful vegetation. These, however, were in rather 
limited numbers and their injuries of comparatively little importance, and I do 
not think it necessary to make mention of them at the present time, 
REPORT ON EXPERIMENTS IN APICULTURE. 
By N. W. McLAIn, Apicultural Agent. 
DECPMBER 31, 1887. 
Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith my report of the work done under your 
instructions at this experiment station during the,past year, the main features of 
which consist of a further prosecution of those lines of research begun in the year 
1886. 
I desire to acknowledge my obligations to yourself for the helpful assistance and 
encouragement you have given me while prosecuting my work under most discour- 
aging circumstances; reference being had to the unparalleled climatic conditions pre- 
vailing throughout this region during the past year, and also to the altogether inad- 
equate financial resources available for the uses of the station. , ; 
I wish also to thankfully acknowledge the valuable services and suggestions of 
those who have aided willingly in some lines of investigation, as well as the uni- 
formly kind and appreciative mention of my efforts by those in whose behalf the 
work is being done. 
