8() HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



many more. It is ]>clievcd to have been exterminated in 

 three places and in several others to be under control, but, 

 as it is being sent in from other States on nursery stock 

 each year, it is but a question of time when it will be pres- 

 ent in almost every orchard, and destroy many of our orna- 

 mental trees and shrubs as well. That this is more than 

 a mere fear is shown by the remark of a nurseryman in 

 another State recently, when refused a certificate of inspec- 

 tion because of the presence of this scale : " Well, I can fill 

 my Massachusetts orders with this stock, any way." 



Much of the correspondence of the division of entomology 

 has been about this and the other common scales, and, as 

 little literature on the subject has recently been published in 

 this State, a l)ulletin is being prepared upon these insects 

 and the best methods of treatment for them. 



Seventeen-year Locust. 

 This interesting insect appeared last June on Martha's 

 Vineyard in considerable aliundance. As this is the only 

 place east of Pennsylvania where the brood due in 1900 has 

 been found, it seemed desirable to make investigations as to 

 the accuracy of previous observations, and to ascertain, if 

 possible, whether this isolated colony was holding its own. 

 Throuojh the kindness of Mr. George Hunt Luce of West 

 Tisbury, the necessary information and specimens were 

 obtained, from which it appears that the brood is a well- 

 known one on the island, and was as much in evidence as 

 ever this year. 



Birch Bucculatrix. 

 During September the birches were seriously attacked by 

 the caterpillars of this insect, causing the leaves to become 

 brown and noticeable, even at some distance. The injury 

 was most apparent in the southern half of the State, except 

 in the Connecticut valley, where it extended northward 

 nearly to the State line. In 1887, 1890 and 1892 this in- 

 sect was very abundant and destructive in Massachusetts, 

 and has been present in smaller numbers every year. As it 

 does not attract particular attention generally, it is not im- 



