36 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. 4. 



servation of our best breeding stock at this time applies to 

 poultry as well as to cattle. 



The continued interest in egg-laying contests is noted with 

 satisfaction, for these contests are among the chief factors in 

 the selection of birds of high productive power. At this time 

 there seems to be a demand for cool thinking rather than 

 hysterical action, in order that one of our greatest industries 

 may be saved. 



Insect Depredations. 



The present year has been rather prolific in troubles caused 

 by insects. Thousands of gardens, made by persons inex- 

 perienced in this work, have greatly increased the supply of 

 plants available for insect attack, and in many cases ravages 

 have taken place of which the owners of the gardens were en- 

 tirely unaware until destruction had proceeded to a point where 

 it was too late to save the crop. 



An unusual pest this year, one rarel}^ reported from the State 

 heretofore has been the potato plant louse, which, in certain 

 portions of the State, has caused a great deal of damage. Stalk 

 borers have also been unusually abundant, and corn, in some 

 parts of eastern Massachusetts, has been attacked by a new 

 and dangerous pest not hitherto reported from this country. 



Early in the season, flea beetles on potatoes and tomatoes 

 were unusually abundant, and the red bug was unusually 

 plentiful during the summer. The periodical cicada, after 

 seventeen years, again appeared on Marthas Vineyard, thus 

 adding another record to the interesting history of this insect 

 in Massachusetts. The rose bug was rather abundant during 

 the summer, and an unusual number of complaints about the 

 grape vine tomato gall were received. In the western part of 

 the State extensive injury in August to shade and forest trees, 

 particularly maple and beech, was found to be caused by cer- 

 tain caterpillars. 



In the fall numerous complaints of injury caused by Datanas 

 and the red-humped caterpillars were received, and, in general, 

 the cabbage worm and squash vine borer appear to have done 

 considerable injury during the season. These have been the 

 chief entomological features found this vear. 



