78 REPORT OF THE FOREST COMMISSION. 



instances where the beginning of an attack is observed 1 , or before 

 one is observed, let the trees be well nourished and watered. 



OTHER INSECTS. 



The list of insects that do serious harm to trees in this State is 

 short. During the late summer patches of oaks in South Jersey, 

 sometimes of considerable size, were completely defoliated by the 

 striped oak worm. Insofar as the attack was confined to scrub 

 oak, and that seems to be the creatures' preference, it was decidedly 

 beneficial. Some tree oaks of many species were also injured, yet 

 no great harm was done. The worm is one that is constantly with 

 us but is held in check by its natural enemies. 



In the same: section, and in some plantations in the North, two 

 and three needle pines v^ere defoliated by the larvae of a saw-fty. 

 In plantations a permanent injury is sometimes done, in the natural 

 forest there is little to be feared. 



Any type of insect like the two described can be easily controlled 

 where trees are Valuable enough to justify spraying. Arsenate of 

 lead as for the elm leaf beetle is best for any deciduous tree. Ever- 

 greens may be treated in the same way, though the mixture should 

 be not more than one-third as strong. A better remedy for the latter 

 is a spray composed of one pound of whale-oil soap and one half 

 pound of arsenate of lead in six gallons of water. 



Locally the cottony maple scale, the maple pseudococcus, and the 

 tussock moth have injured shade trees, usually in consequence of 

 previous weakening. Remedies for any of these will be found in 

 our Shade Tree book. (See p. 73.) 



TREE DOCTORS WARNING. 



Once more a warning against fake tree doctors must be published. 

 One or two of these men have been driven from the State, but sev- 

 eral are still preying upon tree owners. The fact that many trees 

 need spraying or filling, that many chestnuts are dead of the blight 

 and must be removed, that it is becoming the fashion to do some- 

 thing to one's shade trees, induces property owners to listen to 

 these men. Do not trust your tree work to the first man that comes 

 along, but seek a reputable workman. No chestnut tree can be cured 

 of the blight. A wound badly filled, or unnecessarily filled, would 



