No. 123.] PLANT PEST CONTROL. 113 



This method can be used only where wild Ribes are relatively 

 scarce, or in sections where the pine area is so small that it 

 hardly pays to work the other forest types intensively. 



The field work in Massachusetts this season has been con- 

 ducted on practically the same basis as last year, the tendency 

 being to employ the smaller crew units of four or five linemen 

 and a foreman, and the two-man stone-wall crew. Preliminary 

 scouting has been practiced on a much larger scale than in 

 former years, and has proved a most important factor in re- 

 ducing the per acre cost of the work. The field force employed 

 has consisted of one supervisor, six scouts, eight foremen and 

 thirty crew laborers. 



Infection on Ribes this year has not been abundant, due, no 

 doubt, to the fact that very dry weather prevailed just at the 

 time the spores were being liberated from the cankers on 

 diseased pines. Lifection on pine was found in tw^o towns 

 (Athol and Winchendon) in which it had not been previously 

 reported. 



This fall exhibits were prepared for display at the larger 

 agricultural fairs, and at a majority of these a live interest 

 was shown in the material on exhibition, demonstrating quite 

 clearly the need of educational work of this character on a 

 more intensive basis. 



The printed report summarizing the status of the blister rust 

 in the United States in 1920 (Bulletin No. 6, American Plant 

 Pest Committee) was sent to tree wardens, pine owners and 

 nurserymen, accompanied by letters calling particular attention 

 to the seriousness of the disease and to the feasibility of control 

 work. Warning cards were distributed to Massachusetts nurs- 

 erymen for insertion in shipments of pines and Ribes, urging 

 planters to refrain from the cultivation of Ribes in localities in 

 proximity to white pine. 



Three hundred and seventy-five permits were issued during the 

 year to nurseries outside the State for the shipment of Ribes 

 into Massachusetts. These permits allow the shipment of Ribes 

 (except black currants) to any place in the State except the 

 twenty towns listed below. These towns are those in which 

 control work has been in progress and in w^hich further planting 

 is prohibited. 



