RECENT TROUBLES WITH OUR FOREST TREES 67 



2. Make a sufficient appropriation for carrying the work on as 

 the exigencies of the occasion demand from year to year. 



Results are what are desired, and the sooner this disease is con- 

 trolled the better. Meanwhile optimism rather than pessimism 

 will the better aid in solving our forestry problems. Where there 

 is a will there is a way, and Massachusetts does not concede for 

 one minute that we are going to lose our white pines, from any 

 diagnosis that her State Forester at least can make thus far. 



White Pine Aphid or Mealy-bug. 



This insect is quite common throughout Massachusetts on the 

 white pine. It is easily recognized as it is covered with a white 

 cottony substance very similar to other species which most every- 

 one has seen upon greenhouse or house plants at some time or other. 

 This insect occurs on the smooth bark of young trees or on the 

 new growth of older trees where it lives by sucking the sap. The 

 real damage to the tree comes when these insects are very numer- 

 ous. Like all aphids they multiply very rapidly under favorable 

 conditions. White pine trees are occasionally found that are 

 badly infested. In recent years these insects have gotten into 

 forest nursery stock to more or less of an extent, and it is very 

 desirable that infested stock be treated before planting. These 

 insects while they are found upon perfectly healthy stock neverthe- 

 less are far more prevalent upon trees that are more or less ab- 

 normal from one cause or another. Trees that are weakened by 

 overcrowding or stunted by lack of sunlight, etc. are usually in- 

 fested with Chermes or the white pine aphid or mealy-bug. 



During the season of 1914 this insect became quite prevalent 

 in Massachusetts on white pine and did a great amount of damage, 

 but the two past seasons apparently have not been so favorable 

 for its development. That this insect is well worthy of attention 

 is true particularly in keeping it out of young pine plantations by 

 insisting upon clean stock. It has natural enemies and it can be 

 controlled by spraying, but a little foresight and better forestry 

 methods of culture will go a long way towards overcoming its 

 depredations. 



