xxxii BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



to be no end to the spread of this creature. In the forester's 

 report will be found more complete details regarding both 

 this and the gypsy moth. 



Orchard insects have been numerous this season, in par- 

 ticular the codling moth and railroad worm. Seldom have 

 we had such an outbreak of the former, which this year ap- 

 peared in larger quantities the second time than it did the 

 first. In many places where a second spraying was not 

 made the small apple crop was further badly reduced by this 

 insect. 



Scale insects seem to be held fairly well in check by most 

 orchardists. Indeed, this insect regulates itself fairly w^ell, 

 for where it is neglected by the orchardist it soon kills the 

 trees and consequently itself. There is, however, grave dan- 

 ger of its spreading further on many ornamental shrubs and 

 trees, such as dog'^vood, Japanese quince, mountain ash and 

 lilac. 



Insects on vegetable plants were not as numerous as usual, 

 although the asparagus beetle was much in evidence during 

 the early part of the season. Aphids and plant lice were bad 

 on cabbage and cauliflower. One very hopeful thing in con- 

 nection with all insects is that where their natural parasites 

 are abundant very little damage is done, but let their para- 

 sites be reduced materially and serious outbreaks are sure 

 to follow. 



Roads. 



The road question in the State is getting to be more serious 

 each year, for with the increased automobile travel all roads 

 are receiving very severe wear. The burden of building good, 

 new roads comes very hard, even on the well-to-do towns, and 

 is practically impossible in the hill towns where good roads 

 are absolutely essential to development. E^ot only does the 

 small town need good roads to get its products to market, but 

 fully as important are good roads in bringing the people to 

 the towns. There should be a system of State highways con- 

 necting all of the hill towns, but the towns themselves should 

 make good roads to connect with the State roads. This last 

 season the State built about 60 miles of State highways in 

 conjunction wnth towns, under the small towns road act, thus 



