34 PROTECTION OF PLANTS — 1924-25 



were so treated. About seven hundred of these were found on an old willow 

 tree, and over a thousand in a stone wall adjoining it, the balance were scattered 

 through adjacent orchards, on farm buildings, fences, etc. In addition old 

 apple trees full of cavities likely to contain egg masses were cut down and burnt, 

 and in others the cavities were filled, brush was cut and burnt. Extensive 

 "clean up" work will be carried on in 1925, consisting of the thorough rescouting 

 of the entire district, spraying the whole area with arsenate of lead, banding 

 and tanglefooting of trees in the immediate vicinity of the outbreak, and the 

 burning over of the stone walls at the time the caterpillars norn ally hatch. 



It is the intention of both the Federal and Provincial Departments to 

 exert every effort possible to eradicate the gipsy moth from Canada. In addi- 

 tion to "cleaning up" the Belle Vallee infestation plans are uixier way to carry 

 on extensive scouting in all territory south of the St. Lawrence river. The 

 wisdom of adopting this policy can not be over-estimated in view of the previous 

 history of this insect. The federal appropriation in the United States for 

 control work aniounts to seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year, and 

 fully as much if not more, is spent annually by the various state governments 

 and civic authorities. 



A severe outbreak of the gipsy n:oth was discovered in New Jersey a few 

 years ago; during the first season over three million egg clusters were found. As 

 the result of a very vigorous campaign by both the federal and state authorities, 

 it appears as if the pest will be eradicated from that state. Numerous other 

 outbreaks have occured in different parts of the United States but all of these 

 have received prompt attention, with the result that the insect has been exter- 

 minated in those localiti' s. 



Experiments conducted on the efi"ect of low temperatures on exposed egg 

 clusters, gave us hope that the gipsy moth would not prove to be a menace under 

 Canadian conditions, but the situation at Belle Vallee has demonstrated that 

 under som.e conditions at least, an outbreak of this insect can not he viewed 

 without alarm. 



In an endeavor to prevent the spread of the insect in the egg stage, an 

 embargo has been placed on southern Quebec, prohibiting the movement of 

 Christinas trees and greens from some areas, and restricting it from others. 

 The territory involved is one in which under norn;al conditions, large quan- 

 tities of Christmas trees are cut for both the local and export trade. Unfortu- 

 nately it is not feasible to examine these trees in quantity for freedom from in- 

 festation, consequently it was necessary to pass this regulation. It is to be 

 regretted that it may prove a hardship in certain cases, but it is for the benefit 

 of the country at large and it is the country and not the individual that must 

 he given the first consideration. 



