THE PINE INVESTIGATION. 285 



ficial insect in destroying the Tomicns and other injurious bark beetles. 

 The small grubs are probably the larvae of the Tomicus. * * * 



On Oct. 3d, the Directer received a letter from Mr. Adam 

 Fisher, Moorefield, W. Va. This letter we quote in full : 



"DEAR SIR . A large percent, of the pine trees in this section are dead 

 and dying, all kinds. Respectfully, ADAM FISHER. 



In my reply on Oct. 6th, to this letter, I said : 



"Your letter of Oct. 3d to Dr. Myers has been referred to me. In reply 

 I will say that more than likely the pine * * is dying from insect at- 

 tack. * * - Wiil you kindly aid me by answering the following ques- 

 tions. 1 



Please examine under the bark near the ground and on the trunk of the 

 trees that are just commencing to die, and also the living trees near those 

 that are dying. If you find any kind of a bug or grub, large or small, 

 under the bark or in the sapwood of these trees, please forward some of 

 them to me in the bottles I am sending you by this mail. Get all of the 

 different kinds you can find, and if you find an> in a perfectly green tree, 

 they will be especially desired. * Please give me all the information 

 you can regarding this trouble. * * 



On Oct. 9th Mr. Fisher wrote as follows : 



"SiR: Yours of the 6th inst. came to hand last evening ; also bulletins 

 and box of bottles. I live at the base of a mountain in full view of a 

 large area of timber. The dead pines easily discerned. I went out this 

 morning to a group of dead pines that were in full view of the house. 

 They proved to be yellow pine of good size, fit for lumber. I examined 

 about half dozen that had the appearance of being dead from a distance, 

 and found them entirely dead and infested under the bark with numerous 

 insects of different colors, sizes and shapes. Some had penetrated the 

 wood, not many. The bark that I send you will demonstrace how they 

 work. 



The trees of the same kind (yellow pine) that stood near were either 

 dead or living, not half dead. 



The depredations on the living were slight, like an attack and aban- 

 doned. 



The bark I send you will show the work of the bug, also of the small 

 insects, which are very numerous, white ones predominating. 



I only use three of the bottles, reserving the others for better test. The 

 white grub, second size, I got from the bark of a live tree. 



I must answer your questions in accordance with my slight examination. 



'What kind of pine?' 'Yellow.' 



'Is it valuable?' 'It is.' 



'Does it die in patches?' 'It does.' 



'What proportion is dead?' ' or more.' 



'When did it commence to die?' 'First one noticed this summer.' 



"If you come I will entertain you." 



In my reply, Oct. 14th, 1891, to this letter, I said : 



"I have your letter of Oct. 9th. The package of insects and bark, all 

 of which is very interesting to me, for which, please accept my thanks. 



The small black beetles are probably the principal insects to blame for 

 the death of your pines. The holes in the bark you sent were made by 

 these beetles and the small channels on the inside of the bark were made 

 by small grubs which hatch from their eggs. The technical name of the 



1 See questions and answers in the next letter. 



