1910.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 9 



tion of the soil, temperature, light, ventilation, etc. Spraying 

 is seldom necessary. 



11. Caleinm benzoate proves ineffective as a spray for the 

 prevention of rot in plums. 



12. Examination of a large number of commercial seeds 

 shows that the percentage of impurities and weed seeds is rela- 

 tively large. There appears to be danger that Massachusetts 

 will become the dumping ground for inferior seeds, since most 

 of the neighboring States have enacted seed laws. 



13. Further experiments confirm the favorable estimate 

 earlier formed as to the beneficial effects of separation of seed 

 for the removal of impurities and light and imperfect seeds 

 on the germination, size and vigor of the young plants. 



14. Among the leading causes of sun scorch of the foliage 

 of the white pine, frost injury to the feeding rootlets in winter, 

 hot, dry weather and drying winds appear to be the most im- 

 portant ; although burning of the foliage is occasionally due to 

 the action of a fungus. The diseases affecting the pine do not 

 appear to be as serious as has been often represented. 



15. Among the insects which were most prominent during 

 the season of 1909 may be mentioned the elm-leaf beetle, San 

 Jose scale and various kinds of plant lice. The article on 

 '' Insects of the Year " calls attention to the introduction of the 

 leopard moth, which promises to be a serious pest, and to the 

 continued spread of the brown-tail moth. It calls attention 

 further to the discovery of an egg parasite of the asparagus 

 beetle, which it is hoped will prove of great assistance in check- 

 ing the ravages of that insect. 



WM. P. BROOKS, 



Director. 



