140 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



reason alone, admitting, of course, that a clean nursery is less subject to factors 

 of disease. 



Rabbit damage is on the decrease. It appears that lack of food under the 

 coniferous plantations is forcing these animals to winter farther afield in the 

 vicinity of deciduous growth. 



Squirrels create little damage as plenty of food from the ever-increasing 

 annual cone crop prevents the necessity of girdling Scotch pine or eating the 

 terminal buds. 



Insects. 



Injury from white pine weevil was severe. 



All plantations were gone over very thoroughly three times during the 

 season. An exceedingly dry summer as was experienced this year is most effective 

 in favouring the action of this pest. 



For the first time in the history of this Station two species of bark beetles, 

 viz., Ips pini and Ips scaligraphus made their appearance and resulted in the 

 loss of several fifteen-year-old jack and red pine. 



Indication of the presence of the beetles were revealed in late October, and 

 shortly after Dr. J. M. Swaine of the Entomological Branch, Ottawa, was on 

 the job. 



Immediate steps were taken to check the spread of this pest. All infested 

 trees were cut down and burned. Needle droppings and duff were treated 

 similarly and a flame thrower used to sear the soil over the entire area of 

 infestation. 



Since part of the insects hibernate in the tree trunks and part in the litter, 

 complete extermination is hoped for. According to Dr. Swaine these bark beetles 

 are not common to the more northern regions, this being only the second known 

 outbreak in Canada, Dry weather and the presence of slash creates a medium 

 favourable to propagation. 



In all there were eight outbreaks of this insect necessitating the removal of 

 one hundred and sixty-three red pine and twelve jack pine. 



Intensive inspection will be maintained during 1931 for evidence of 

 recurrence. 



"Tetrancychus telarius," the common red spider, prevailed in small patches 

 on both white and Norway spruce 2-2 nursery stock at Station No. 2. Upon 

 the advice of the Dominion Entomologist this stock will be held for spray next 

 year, and will not be distributed. Sulphur spray is most effective in killing 

 this insect and a complete formulae may be procured either from this Station or 

 from Dr. Swaine. 



Successful efforts were made to offset nursery stock losses by the common 

 cut worm. Three applications of poisoned bran were applied to all nursery 

 beds during the recent summer and losses usually running into hundreds of 

 thousands of 1-0 and 2-0 and coniferous seedlings were reduced to practically 

 nothing. The dates of application are as follows — May 1st, July 16th and 

 August 6th. 



Disease. 



Damping off of coniferous seedlings was negligible. Lack of rain permitted 

 perfect control of watering. 



No evidence of blister rust was encountered. However, the area in the 

 neighbourhood of the nurseries was worked and all members of the family "Ribes" 

 dug up and destroyed. 



