DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1937 97 



Protection 

 (a) Fire 



In spite of the extreme fire hazard during the summer of 1936 no fire 

 occurred at Orono or Midhurst while a small one of ten acres was reported at 

 St. Williams. Many fires were extinguished on properties located near the 

 nurseries. 



(b) Insects 



The bark beetle — Ips calligrophus — has appeared in one or two places 

 in the province this year but not in any of the nursery plantations. In the 

 St. Williams area control measures were carried out on plantations infected 

 within close proximity to the nursery. Inspection was carried out at Mid- 

 hurst for the sawfly larvae, white pine weevil, Nantucket shoot moth and 

 spruce gall aphids. At Orono no damage was reported from weevil or sawfly 

 and the control measures applied for the control of Evetria alba — copitana on 

 jack pine have proven successful. 



(c) Birds 



Little damage is reported from this source during the year. The method 

 of control now being adopted is to provide feeding grounds instead of shooting. 



(d) Other Animals 



Mice and rabbits continue to do slight damage to nursery stock and 

 plantations. At Midhurst, porcupines damaged some trees in plantations 

 and natural woodland. 



(e) Fungous Diseases 



White pine blister rust has been controlled at all three nurseries and 

 inspections are made regularly. At Midhurst the poplar canker (Hypoxylus 

 pruinatum) is causing untold damage and many poplars die from it each year. 



Woodlot Improvement 



Extensive woodlot improvement was carried on at St. Williams in con- 

 nection with natural stands and plantations. About 40,000 F.B.M. of chest- 

 nut were salvaged from one area besides large quantities of fuelwood. At 

 Midhurst fifteen acres of plantation were improved. 



Publicity 



It is very significant that in the counties where the three nurseries are 

 located the greatest interest in and enthusiasm for reforestation is found. 

 The parks at all nurseries are patronized by thousands of visitors each year 

 and in this way prospective planters and others secure first hand information 

 regarding tree planting. 



In addition to their regular duties of superintending the nurseries proper, 



