188 



terests in such timber are becoming alarmed. The ravages of the in- 

 sects in the other pines have been of such a serious character, the 

 spread so rapid, and the destruction so complete, that there is really 

 good cause for alarm, and should this destructive work continue in the 

 Spruce and White Pine of our State, and the invasions of this insect 

 extend into the great pine forests of the Southern States, many millions 

 of dollars will be added to the great loss already sustained. 



REMEDIES CONSIDERED. 



At first, a remedy against the ra[)idly spreading ravages of the bee- 

 tles seemed out of the question, but when it was found that they had 

 just commenced their attack upon the forests of Black Spruce and 

 White Pine, it indicated that possibly some method could be found by 

 which the healthy and more valuable portions of these forests could be 

 protected. 



The method of cutting and burning the first infested trees to destroy 

 the insects was considered, but it was found that it could not be gen- 

 erally practiced in our West Virginia forests, owing to many ditticulties 

 and conditions rendering this as well as other like methods impracti- 

 cable. 



The occurrence of a similar trouble in our Spruce forests between 

 1882 and 1889 caused, evidently, by the Spruce-bark Beetle {Poly- 

 graiihus rufipennis)^ was, I have every reason to believe, brought to an 

 end principally by the appearance of some six species of parasites and 

 predaceous insects, which were found preying upon it. This, together 

 with the well-known success of the introduction of the Vedalia cardi- 

 nal'iH from Australia into California, resulting in the destruction of the 

 Icerya, led me to consider similar methods of combating the Destruc- 

 tive Pine-bark Beetle, and to carry into effect a previously contemplated 

 experiment of introducing certain insects from Europe to feed upon 

 some of our injurious bark beetles. 



By correspondence with Mr. Eichhoff, Oberforster, StrasbOi-g, Ger- 

 many, I learned that a certain beetle, Clerus formicarius L., was a 

 " great destroyer of Scolytids " in the forests there, and from my knowl- 

 edge of the habits of the nearly-related species, Thanasinms dubius 

 Fab., I felt that it would be a most desirable species to introduce into 

 our forests to feed upon the " Destructiv^e Pine-Bark Beetle," and pos- 

 sibly check its ravages. Therefore, the experiment of introducing this 

 beneficial European species into our State for this purpose was recom- 

 mended to our Station ofQcials and to owners of the threatened Spruce 

 and White Pine forests. This proposed experiment was at once ap- 

 proved and the Station, aided by liberal contributions from four of the 

 principal lumber companies, sent me to Europe in quest of such insects 

 as, in my judgment, would, when introduced into our forests, accom- 

 plish the desired end. I, therefore, proceeded at once to Germany, sail- 

 ing from New York on August 17, and arriving at Strasburg on Au- 



