36 PROTECTION OF PLANTS — 1923-24 



in eastern Canada special life-history and parasite studies of the sawfly have 

 been directed from the Fredericton laboratory. 



The outbreak of the Spruce Budworm, Harmologa fumiferana Clem., 

 first observed in New Brunswick in 1912, has been under continuous study by 

 Dr Swaine and Dr. Tothill, and in 1921-23, by Dr. F. C. Craighead of the Divi- 

 sion of Forest Insects, Ottawa. Camps were established at Bathurst and 

 other places during the progress of this investigation. Mr. M. B. Dunn of the 

 federal staff, also assisted in this work. The natural control of the insect was 

 specially stucUed by Dr. Tothill. The results of all of these spruce budworm 

 studies ^are now being prepared for pubUcation. 



Following the inception of a close biological study of the Colorado Potato 

 beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, at Ottawa, in 1919, the bionomics of the 

 insect'in New Brunswick were undertaken by Mr. R. P. Gorham in 1921, and 

 in this and following years much data was obtained. 



In 1923, a reorganization of the staff employed at the Fredericton labora- 

 tory was effected, Dr. Tothill being transferred to the Division of Forest 

 Insects, Mr. Baird to parasite studies at Ottawa, and Mr. Dustan to investi- 

 gations' relating to cHseases of insects, in Nova Scotia. Mr. L. J. Simpson was 

 letained at the Fredericton laboratory to assist Dr. Tothill. Insecticide 

 investigations conducted from the Fredericton laboratory during 1922 and 

 1923 have been under thn immediate charge of Mr. G. P. Walker. Control 

 demonstrations in potato fields and in apple orchards have been of much value. 

 In this work we have had the co-operation of the Superintendent of the Exper- 

 mental Farm and, also, of the Provincial Horticulturist. 



The federal fumigation station erected at St. John, N.B., in 1913, has 

 during the period of this review, been in charge of Mr. H. E. Goold who has 

 also assisted in the inspection of imported nurserj^ stock. In 1923, this station 

 was closed with the coming into effect of the revised regulations under the 

 Destructive Imect and Pest Act. In order to assist, however, in the inspec- 

 tion of plant products arriving at the Port of St. John an office of the Entomo- 

 logical Branch was estabhshed there in 1923, Mr. Arthur Finnamore being placed 



in charge. • p , r ■, 



As in Nova Soctia, co-operative work m scouting tor the nests of the 

 Brown-tail moth, was conducted with the Depaitment of Agriculture for New 

 Brunswick. During the winter of 1913-14, as many as 28,100 nests were 

 collected. In 1914-15, only 239 winter nests were found; in 1915-16, 395 nests; 

 in 1916-17, 375 nests; and in 1917-18, 62 nests. Scouting carried on every 

 winter since, has failed to find a single nest. 



Provincial 



For a number of years previous to 1923, ]Mr. William Mcintosh, as Pro- 

 vincial Entomologist,^ pubhshed an annual statement discussing in brief 

 the seasonal occurrence of injurious insects. Mr. Mcintosh established an 

 excellent connection with the school teachers of the province and this has 

 enabled him to build up an extensive correspondence. He has, in addition, 

 for some years taught nature study, including entomology, at the summer 

 school for teachers conducted at Sussex, N.B. The Department has recently 

 made a yearly grant of S200 to the Acadian Entomological Society. 



