1{f:mki)1ks Foi; ixsects and rrxoi injiking fijiits. 71 



Francis II. Appleton asked if tlie blight on \nrch trees is of 

 insect or fungus origin. 



Professor Maynard said tliat many birches turned brown last 

 autumn from the work of a minute insect which is protected by 

 a shell, probalily of its own making. This enemy has increased 

 to alnindance during the last tn'O years, but has not yet been 

 identified. Its work was manifest generally through the eastern 

 part of the State, but not so much in the western counties. He 

 would suggest that probably Paris green would destroy the worms 

 attacking the birch trees. 



Mr. Strong asked if the remedy' would be adapted to rid the 

 trees of the red spider which now destroj^s their beauty. 



Professor Maynard thought the sulphur and lime solution would 

 sutHce to remove the red spider. It punctures the leaves and 

 sucks out the sap. Arseuites destroy oul\- those insects which eat 

 the foliage, but the kerosene emulsion, the formula for which is 

 given in the essay, might also be an effective remedy' for the insect 

 injuring the Ini'ch. 



O. B. Hadweu had noticed the discoloration of white birches at 

 the north of "Worcester, and beyond Concord, X. H., and west to 

 near Springfield, but not mi;ch at more southern points. If the 

 ravages of the new comer keep on, great injury will be done to 

 our fine cut-leaved birch trees. 



At the conclusion of the discussion a vote of thauks to Profes- 

 sor Maynard for his able, interesting, and ver}^ instructive essay 

 was unanimously passed. 



The Chairman of the Committee on Publication and Discussion 

 announced, for the next Saturday, a paper upon '• Chrj'santhe- 

 mums." by John Thorpe, of Pearl River. X. Y. 



BUSIXESS MEETIXG. 



Saturday, February 7. 18(U. 



An adjourned meeting of the Society was holden at eleven 

 o'clock, the President. Williax H. Spooner, in the chair. 



