P.D. 123 11 



other hand, just as the Codling Moth and San Jose scale compelled the 

 orchardist to spray, resulting in the production of clean and better fruit, 

 perhaps these pests have been the instigation for our nurserymen to be 

 more thorough and observing, and thus produce stock which is known 

 throughout the United States as "best by test." Our inspection of the nur- 

 series this past year found them, considered as a unit, to be in excellent 

 condition. Certificates were issued to 241 permitting sales. Very little 

 scale was found, certainly a negligible amount compared with that of fif- 

 teen years ago. Spraying, parasites, together with careful and intelli- 

 gent supervision has practically eliminated San Jose scale and Oyster- 

 shell scale is seldom found except in small amounts in our nurseries. 



Controlling the White Pine Blister Rust 

 The White Pine Blister Rust has been located in nearly 300 cities and 

 towns in this State, but fortunately this disease can be controlled. The 

 Division of Plant Pest Control is endeavoring to maintain Ribes-free 

 zones around each nursery growing any considerable number of five- 

 leafed pines. In establishing a Ribes-free zone, it is the practice to re- 

 move all Ribes (currants and gooseberries) both cultivated and wild, for 

 a distance of 1500 feet from the nursery, and all black currants for a dis- 

 tance of one mile. This work is quite costly and sometimes very diflficult, 

 especially when swamps are encountered. This year 4,338 Ribes were 

 removed on property surrounding the nurseries, and while it is hoped 

 that this work will be completed in 1929, it quite likely will be necessary 

 to check the areas from time to time. Since 1917 all New England nur- 

 series have been restricted in their shipments to five-leafed pines, but in 

 1928 the Federal Government made provision whereby five-leafed pines 

 grown from seed in nurseries properly protected by a Ribes-free zone, 

 can be shipped to points outside of New England. 



Gypsy Moth Infestations Reduced 

 The Gypsy Moth condition in the nurseries difi'ers very little from those 

 found in 1927. While some of the infestations throughout the State are 

 serious, they caused with one exception very little concern in our nurseries. 

 It has been our practice to carefully inspect all property surrounding the 

 nurseries and to compel property owners to keep such properties clean 

 and free from injurious pests. By this method we have greatly reduced 

 the danger of infestations from outside the nursery. 



Miscellaneous Plant Pests 

 The Satin Moth Spreading Rapidly 

 The Satin Moth, which was brought into the country from Europe, has 

 spread rapidly during the last five years. Fortunately, it has confined its 

 feeding, so far as known, to willows and poplars. It is easily controlled 

 by spraying with arsenate of lead, and where this practice is followed, 

 very little damage has been noticed, but where it is allowed to feed, un- 

 checked, stripping is often detected. The infested area now includes all 

 of eastern Massachusetts and extends west as far as Northampton. 



The Oriental Hag Moth of Minor Importayice 

 Intensive scouting was carried on, especially north of Boston to de- 

 termine the exact area infested by the Oriental Hag Moth. While some 

 increase was noted, the fact that this insect was established here over 

 twenty years ago and to date has caused little or no damage leads to the 

 belief that it is of minor importance. 



The Larch Cayiker Disease 

 A disease new to this country was found in Hamilton, Massachusetts 

 during the summer of 1927. This disease, commonly called "Larch Can- 



