REPORT OF TEE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST 233 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



matically at the proper time and with due regard to the true value of each operation, 

 where regular cultivation and spraying are done as a matter of course, and not as an 

 exceptional expedient Avhich some unusual occui'rence has made necessary. 



Mr. A. McNeill, Chief of the Fruit Division of the Commissioner of Agricu^lture's 

 Branch of the Department of Agriculture, has kindly allowed me to examine the 

 reports from his correspondents all over the Dominion; and in this way I have been 

 able to learn many useful facts concerning the condition of fruit crops and the insect 

 imd fungous enemies which have affected them during the year. Mr. McNeill writes as 

 follows : — ' Our crop reports this year furnished us with a large amount of material 

 bearing upon fungous diseases and insects. On the whole, it may be said that these 

 enemies did not do as much harm as usual. There were, however, several sections 

 where the Apple Scab (Black Spot, Fusicladium) was particularly bad. One of these 

 was the western peninsula of Ontario, where it was difficult to secure any clean fruit 

 except in well sprayed orchards. A curious condition prevailed in the Annapolis and 

 Cornwallis valleys of Nova Scotia. One part of the valley was particularly free from 

 fungous diseases, while in another these were decidedly prevalent. There were no 

 serious attacks of insects, and indeed the year 1904 may be said to have been remark- 

 able for the absence of injury by the Codling Moth. This exemption, however, must 

 not be counted on for the future, inasmuch as there were still sufficient insects to pro-- 

 pagate the species ; and, with favourable conditions, there is no reason why the Codling 

 Moth should not be prevalent again next year.' 



Mr. J. R. Anderson writes : — ' Victoria, B.C., Nov. 1. — Apples were good, but the 

 yield was only average. Prices ruled high, and those growers who put their product 

 on the market in good shape realized well. Fruit-growing is receiving much greater 

 attention, as it is better realized that, with that care which is due to every branch of 

 agriculture, a very superior article can be produced, with a corresponding profit to 

 the grower. An exhibit sent to England from British Columbia was awarded the 

 highest gold medal of the Koyal Horticultural Society. This alone has stimulated the 

 planting of orchards to an unprecedented extent.' 



' Wolfville, N.S. — We have been singularly free from injurious insects this year ; 

 but Cankerworms and Tent Caterpillars are both on the increase, and there has been 

 some loss from Eye-spotted Bud-mouth and Cigar Case-bearer, the latter of which is 

 especially common in Annapolis County.' — F. C. Sears, Horticulturist, Department of 

 Agriculture, Nova Scotia. 



' Alberton, P.E.I. — Our apple crop is large and cleaner than for many years, even 

 in unsprayed plantations. The Black Knot on plums and cherries, wild and domestic, 

 was bad.' — Eev. A. E. Burke. 



The following occurrences of insects injurious to fruit crops, among others, have 

 been brought to my notice during the season and have received attention from the 

 officers of the Division. 



The San Jose Scale (Aspidiotus perniciosus, Cmstlc). — It is satisfactory to be 

 able again to report that no new infestations by this insect have been reported beyond 

 the limits of the area already invaded in 1903. It is probable that during the severe 

 winter of 1903-1904 a large proportion of the wintering scale insects was destroyed. 

 Among reports received, the following is of considerable interest, as coming from one 

 who is specially able to observe and draw correct conclusions. Mr. Geo. E. Fisher, of 

 Freeman, Ont., writes on July 10 last as follows : — 



*■ The past winter was so unusually severe that I have been much interested in 

 examining the condition of the San Jose Scale, to learn if possible the effect of extreme- 

 cold on this insect. Mr. Davis, of this place, for the past two years, has prepared 

 about 100 barrels of lime and sulphur wash each year, which has been used by tho 

 fruit-growers in the district with such good effect that there is really little opportunity 

 for investigation. However, I found a spot where the scale had been for some time, 

 and had not been treated. I made weekly visits to this orchard, beginning about tho 



