DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1929 135 



All White Pine plantations were thoroughly inspected and all infected tops 

 removed. It was found necessary to work some plantations three times in a 

 concerted effort that not one weeviled top be overlooked. 



A new type of container was devised this year with a view of making it 

 absolutely certain that no insects escaped after collection. This precaution was 

 felt to be necessary as the older type of wooden boxes formerly used either opened 

 up in dry weather, or swelled to bursting point during a rainy spell. 



The new boxes are three feet by three feet by six feet in size and are con- 

 structed of galvanized metal, built on a rigid frame of cedar. 



After the metal containers are filled with weeviled tops, galvanized screening 

 is placed over the opening and carefully soldered fast. These boxes are placed 

 at different points in the various plantations in order that the ever-present 

 insect that parasitizes on the weevil may be more widely dispersed and be more 

 effective in assisting to stamp out a pest which is one of the most damaging 

 factors working against the development of White Pine plantations. 



With reference to the tabulated record on weevil control which follows, it 

 would appear that 1929 was an exceptionally bad year. I am inclined, however, 

 to put the increase in the number of diseased tops collected, down to a more 

 thorough and repeated operation. In any event, it is impossible to draw con- 

 clusions until 1930 weeviling has been effected in the same painstaking manner 

 as that of this year. 



Disease. 



Chestnut blight "Endothia parasitica" is becoming very prevalent. Chestnut 

 nursery stock is no longer being grown for disposal, as it would appear foolish 

 to grow and distribute a species that is almost certain to be subsequently de- 

 stroyed by this rampant disease. 



One has but to listen to the crackling of dead chestnut stems to be convinced 

 that the Sweet Chestnut of Southern Ontario is doomed. 



Again, our White Pine holds the unenviable status of being susceptible to 

 fungi as well as insect ravage. The White Pine Blister rust is too well known to 

 warrant full description. 



Eradication of members of the family Ribes, however, does present a most 

 tangible procedure in terminating the development of this fungi before it reaches 

 the stage damaging to White Pine. 



The Ribes eradication section commenced work on July 20th and finished 

 on September 21st, the working time being 1,617 hours. 



(5) Woodlot Improvement 



To a major extent woodlot improvement was carried on during the dormant 

 months and entailed the removal of all inferior species as a prepartory operation 

 to the reinstatement of such species as were adapted to existent site and soil 

 conditions. 



The principal species cut out were members of the Black Oak family. Grow- 

 ing, as it does, on very light sandy soil. Black Oak attains but a small height and 

 diameter size when heart rot sets in. Such trees invariably break over in a short 

 time and the remaining stubs coppice. This coppice in turn develops poorly and 

 again becomes diseased. Such a condition has been going on for years and will 

 continue "ad infinitum" without there being created a stand of any great com- 

 mercial value. 



