20 P.D. 123 



ter, was found in 34 additional towns, extending now as far west as 

 Athol on the northern border, and Brimfield in the southern part of the 

 State. While the Satin Moth has proved itself to be a free flier, thus 

 spreading rapidly, it can easily be controlled by spraying with arsenate 

 of lead during the time the caterpillars are feeding. So far this insect 

 has confined its attacks to willows and poplars, and a quarantine pro- 

 hibiting the shipment of these trees from the infested area, is still in 

 force. 



During March and April scouting was carried on to determine the 

 area infested by the Oriental Hag Moth. No increase was found, with 

 the exception of a very small area in Revere and Chelsea. This insect 

 constitutes a minor problem in that it has been established here for more 

 than 20 years and is still confined to a very small area. 



The usual number of importations of nursery stock was received from 

 various States, as well as a limited number from Europe. The fact that 

 in years past, shipments not up to Massachusetts standards were de- 

 stroyed or returned to the consignor at his expense seems to have been 

 well known, with the result that this State is now receiving, in most 

 cases, exceptionally clean stock. 



A larger number of agents' licenses were issued this past year than 

 ever before, and the increase has been noticeable in the past few seasons. 

 The licenses are issued to dealers who buy and resell nursery stock, and 

 are distinct from the nurseryman who is a grower of stock. It is neces- 

 sary for the agent, before being granted a license, to file with the Divi- 

 sion a list of the nurserymen from whom his stock is purchased. 



European Corn Borer 



The control of this insect continues to be a very serious problem in 

 Massachusetts, although it is causing a great deal more concern in the 

 West where it is a menace to the corn belt. While the insect in Massa- 

 chusetts is two-brooded as compared with the single-brooded Corn Borer 

 of Canada and the West, Massachusetts has been fortunate so far in 

 its control. In a large measure this might be due to the law which re- 

 quires that all corn stubble be plowed under by December 1st, of the 

 year of its growth and to some extent to weather conditions and para- 

 sites. 



Last year over 200 violators of this law were summoned into court and 

 found guilty. The penalties varied from the offenders being placed on 

 probation to fines of $25 for each violation. There seems to be no ques- 

 tion but that this law is well known, and in the majority of cases re- 

 spected. It causes little if any hardship to the farmer in this State, and 

 its enforcement at this time seems wise. A careful check will be made 

 to ascertain any further violations and in all probability the Department 

 will ask that the violators be fined rather than placed on probation for 

 second offenses. The Division has eight inspectors employed for this 

 check-up work. A great deal of publicity was afforded the law this year 

 by disseminating copies of it through the mails. Ninety thousand copies 

 were distributed in this manner, largely through the rural carriers. The 

 late spring and a native parasite were very effective in reducing the in- 

 festation this year. Records shov/ that there was a 38% decrease of in- 

 festation in 1926 as compared with the year previous. Careful scouting 

 failed to disclose any increase in the infested area. It is quite evident 

 that the plowing has been very instrumental in checking the spread and 

 the Division hopes that the regulations will be carried out by every per- 

 son who grows corn. One should not lose sight of the fact that while 

 the insect has decreased in Massachusetts, it has at the same time caused 

 a great amount of damage in Canada and in some of the Western States 

 and that a big problem confronts the farmer in these sections. 



The Division has, as in years past, co-operated with the United States 

 Department of Agriculture in maintaining an office in the Boston Mar- 



