75 



In going through the reports of the Farms and the files of agricul- 

 tural newspapers, we can readily discover from writings of Dr. Fletcher 

 and Dr. Saunders, the introduction and prevalence at certain periods 

 and in various districts of injurious pests. In almost every case the 

 descriptions given made identification comparatively easy. Reme- 

 dies recommended were so practical and clearly described as to be 

 readily applied. Many will recall the recommendations of the 

 'Hopper Doser' and the 'Criddle Mixture' for grass-hoppers, and 

 the advice to avoid sowing weevil-infested peas. The wire worm, 

 the cut worm, the Hessian fly, the grain aphis, the wheat midge, the 

 corn worm, the army worm, the San Jose scale, the horn fly and 

 scores of other pests have been dealt with from time to time. 



The Experimental Farms being deeply .concerned with forest 

 trees as well as with field and garden crops, much attention was paid 

 to insects attacking sylvan growth. Consequently, attention was 

 directed to visitations of such insects as the Tussock Moth, the Forest 

 Tent Caterpillar, the Gall Louse and other enemies of forest and shade 

 trees and, in every case that a remedy was feasible, it was given out 

 so clearly and so fully that none need misunderstand. 



In November of 1908 the Experimental Farms, and in fact the 

 whole country, suffered a severe loss in the death of Dr. Fletcher. 

 By this time the work had become very heavy and in order to cope 

 with it at all successfully the following year the joint Entomological 

 and Botanical Division was divided into two separate Divisions 

 and a Dominion Entomologist (Dr. C. Gordon Hewitt) and a 

 Dominion Botanist (Mr. H. T. Gussow) were appointed each to have 

 charge of his special subject. 



THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



The Domion Entomologist has, as an important part of his 

 work, the administration of the ' Destructive Insect and Pest Act, 

 which was passed in 1910 to prevent the introduction and spread of 

 insect pests and diseases injurious to vegetation. In order to prevent 

 the introduction of insect pests from other countries, the regulations 

 under this Act require that trees, shrubs and other nursery stock 

 shall be imported only during certain specified periods of the year 

 and through certain ports, of which there are nine from Halifax, 

 N.S., to Vancouver, B.C. At six of these ports, fumigation stations 

 are established, where certain classes of trees and plants are fumigated, 

 in houses provided for the purpose, with hydrocyanic acid gas to 

 prevent the introduction of the San Jose and other scale insects. 



