DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1931 155 



(3) Permanent Planting 



The land so far acquired at this station is nearly completely planted up. 

 The land still remaining to be planted consists of small isolated areas. 

 This year the following trees were planted from this station. 



Midhurst Nursery Highway Planting 



Red Pine 31,400 Conifers 3,000 



White Spruce 1,000 Hardwoods 4,050 



Norway Spruce 1,000 



European Larch 5,000 Total 7,050 



Poplar 8,000 



White Willow 8,000 



Total 54,400 



Grand Total 61,450 



(4) Protection 



(a) Insects. 



During early July the white pine plantations were patrolled for weevil. 

 The infected tops were cut off and destroyed. 



All plantations were thoroughly inspected for any sign of the Leconte's 

 Sawfly (Neodiprion lecontei). This pine needle eating sawfly has become very 

 troublesome in this district in the last few years. 



Many of the surrounding private plantations were inspected and the 

 infected ones treated with arsenate of lead spray (3-5 lbs. per 50 gals, of water) 

 or the caterpillars destroyed by crushing. We hope by this intensive survey of 

 plantations in the district to eradicate this insect in a few years. 



Less troublesome leaf mining and eating insects were kept under control 

 by spraying. 



(b) Fungus diseases. 



Poplar canker {Hypoxylon pruniatum) is making rapid strides in this 

 section and the large toothed aspen (Populus grandidentata) seems to be doomed 

 in this district as trees three and four inches in diameter are now being attacked. 



An intensive ribes eradication programme was inaugurated at this station 

 this year. This work is being carried on to insure that the white pine stock to 

 be shipped from this nursery will be free from blister rust. It also insures the 

 protection of permanent white pine plantations planted here from blister rust. 

 This disease is making rapid progress throughout the province and white pine 

 is in great danger. Altogether about five hundred acres were covered and 54,651 

 bushes of ribes (wild black and red currants and gooseberry) were eradicated. 



(c) Birds. 



Sparrows which cause considerable damage to the young germinating seed 

 are kept under control by the use of traps and gun shot. 



(d) Fire. 



We had two small grass fires at this station this year. Both were caused 

 through carelessness and from now on strict measures will be taken with anyone 

 causing fire at this station. 



The fire-guard system as usual was kept in good condition, free from all 

 growth. 



(5) Woodlot Improvements 



During the winter season of 1930-31 considerable mixed hardwood and 

 lowland coniferous bush was given an improvement cutting. This, combined 



