144 



REPORT OF THE 



No. 3 



5. Protection. 



Whether in connection with nursery operations, care of forest plantations, 

 or management of natural woodland, protection plays an important part. 



During the recent year special attention was given to this phase of the 

 Station's operations, and intensive work was carried out in an effort to control 

 injurious factors. 



Protection of the nursery section was carried out under three considerations : 



(a) Insects, (b) Animals, (c) Disease. 



Insects. 



The larvae of the common cut worm was practically kept under control 

 by means of consistent and periodical applications of poisoned bran over the 

 seed bed and nursery line areas. 



Species of Lachnosterna (May Beetle) were common, but crop rotation and 

 cultivation appears to be efficacious in minimizing damage from this insect. 



Barring these two insects, damage from other pests was negligible. 



Animals. 



All hedge rows and windbreaks were throughly cleaned twice during the 

 year. The removal of leaf and needle droppings and all other accumulations of 

 litter tends to make a clean nursery, and destroys a splendid breeding ground 

 for mice. 



The results of this bi-annual house cleaning of the nursery section is reflected 

 in that little or no damage to nursery stock nor loss of seed is encountered on 

 account of mice. 



Rabbit injury is becoming less severe as all plantations in the vicinity of 

 the nursery area are being thinned and underpruned. The heretofore excellent 

 shelter is being dispelled, and the rabbit is compelled to make a local migration 

 to more distant zones of safety and feeding grounds. 



Where deciduous species are left in lines over winter these are protected 

 against rabbits by a screen or lath mat enclosure. 



Disease. 



Damping off of first-year seedlings, with special reference to red pine, 

 was rather severe, owing to heavy and consistent rainfall during the period of 

 germination. White pine seedlings suffered slightly while the spruces, cedars, 

 Scotch and jack pine were least affected. 



Those seed beds that were sown during the late fall of 1930 withstood 

 damping off better than did the spring-sown beds. 



Hard maple and elm nursery stock was sprayed with an arsenated Bordeau 

 mixture to prevent leaf curl and black spot. All red pine nursery lines, as well 

 as 1-0 and 2-0 seed beds of the same species were subjected to three periodical 

 applications of Bordeau mixture, for the purpose of controlling needle cast caused 

 by Lophodermium pinastri. 



