P.D. 123 19 



Larch Canker at the present time, and precautionary measures will be 

 taken. 



As has been the policy for the last few years, scouting for the Oriental 

 Hag Moth has been carried on and no increase in spread has been re- 

 ported. 



The Eastern Plant Conference Board which was organized in 1926 and 

 is composed of representatives of the Eastern States, is proving very 

 helpful. The meetings have been well attended and matters of much 

 importance to all have been discussed and solved. 



European Corn Borer 



The European corn borer is now considered one of the major insects of 

 the country. As in past years, the Division has been cooperating with 

 the United States Government from June 1 to January 1 in enforcing the 

 quarantine which prohibits the shipment of certain flowers and vegetables 

 without inspection. This requires a corps of men in both the Boston 

 flower and vegetable markets, as well as a crew in the field. The field 

 crew inspect produce shipped direct from the farms to points outside the 

 quarantined area. The Massachusetts law which was passed in 1923, 

 and requires that all corn stubble be plowed under or buried or burned 

 by December 1, has been enforced vigorously. Until this year it has 

 been the policy to bring offenders into court. This measure, however, 

 seemed rather drastic for a first ofi'ence, and a change was brought about 

 whereby the offenders were summonsed into the office of the Division, 

 about 300 in number, and given an educational lecture. The results have 

 been most encouraging. Over 100,000 copies of the corn borer law were 

 distributed throughout the infested area with the aid of the post office 

 department, and in this manner it was given wide publicity. During De- 

 cember the Division inspectors made a careful check up of all violators. 

 It is very gratifying to record that since this law went into effect, the 

 area of infestation has not increased in Massachusetts. It is interesting 

 to note that a native egg parasite, Tricho gramma, killed slightly over 

 25% of the second generation corn borer eggs, and that six imported 

 species have been firmly established near Boston. While these imported 

 parasites are as yet accomplishing very little in the way of control, the 

 outlook is hopeful. 



Representatives of the New England States were called to a meeting 

 for the purpose of discussing what action should be taken in dealing with 

 the European corn borer in New England. Maine and Massachusetts 

 have specific corn borer laws, while the other States do not seem to have 

 sufficient legislation to cope with the situation. As the insect has spread 

 rapidly in Rhode Island during the past year and as a considerable part 

 of that State borders Massachusetts, it is decidedly to the advantage of 

 this State to have some action taken in Rhode Island. A committee of 

 this Conference, of which the Director of the Division of Plant Pest Con- 

 trol was Chairman, reported that "where the European corn borer is 

 prevalent or on the increase, specific legislation is advisable." In view 

 of this, it appears that Rhode Island should pass legislation similar to 

 that in effect in Massachusetts. 



Division inspectors were stationed on the New York line this summer 

 to prohibit the importation of corn from New York State where the 

 European corn borer is established. During this period it was discovered 

 that the towns next to and immediately adjoining the New York line were 

 infested with the borer. Unquestionably, this infestation, which affected 

 15 towns, is a spread from New York. There were three additional in- 

 spectors assigned to this district, and a thorough educational campaign 

 was carried out. Even though the law was not effective in these towns, 

 a very fine spirit of cooperation was shown, and without doubt 90% of 

 the area planted to corn was plowed. 



