692 THE FRUIT INDUSTRY iy NEW YORK STATE 



of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station, and others, in 

 the investigations of intricate entomological problems. Recently, 

 attention has been given to careful studies of the pear psylla, the 

 pear thrips, sinuate pear borer, potato diseases, and other 

 drances to the proper development of the horticultural intc 

 of the state. 



The bureau has also worked in cooperation with the Supr 

 tendent of State Forests in the handling and control of the 

 destructive blister rust of the pine. 



As it is becoming more generally known that persons are engaged 

 in the growing of trees in propagating beds or nurseries, or in 

 the park systems on large estates; also on account of the shade 

 tree problems of the municipalities, the work of the bureau is 

 growing rapidly and involves an extensive correspondence, the 

 object of which necessitates its being conducted promptly., giving 

 the best inf6rmation. If for any reason full and adequate re- 

 sponse to correspondents cannot be given, references are made 

 wherever it is possible to get satisfactory answers to inquiries. 



In the year 1914, an unprecedented outbreak of grasshoppers 

 appeared in seven counties, principally in the sandy soil sections 

 north and northwest of Albany. Quite late in the season, demon- 

 stration measures were conducted on several hundred farms to 

 show the farmers how the use of poison bait would be effective 

 in destroying the grasshoppers and saving the crops. It developed 

 that the work was not begun quite early enough in the season, 

 but many valuable crops were saved and much good was done to 

 the farmers on those light lands. 



The same year there was a widespread outbreak of army worm 

 caterpillars, extending from Long Island to Chautauqua county. 

 Considerable attention was given to demonstrating the control 

 methods for this pest. These insects have not appeared to a 

 very destructive extent this year. The outbreak of grasshoppers 

 in Saratoga County and further north began early in the season, 

 and our demonstration work against them was as extensive as 

 our funds would permit, hundreds of farmers receiving assist- 

 ance in controlling the grasshopper plague. Lesser demonstra- 

 tions were conducted in other parts of the state, with the result 

 that we are now convinced that if farmers will use the poison 



