Jan. 1922] annual report. 23 



Termites. 



The investigation of termites has now been practically completed by Mr. 

 O'Kane. It has included observations on the use of repellent oils, experi- 

 ments with traps to determine the location of parent colonies, and an extensive 

 experiment with heat as a means of killing the insects within the timbers 

 of a building. A bulletin is soon to be published covering the results of 

 this investigation. 



Insect Record. 



A considerable amount of data has been added to the insect record main- 

 tained by the entomology department. There has been a notable increase 

 in the numbers of the native Stalk borer {Papaipema niiela) and the native 

 Com Ear Worm (Heliolhis obsoleta). The range of the European Com 

 Borer (Pyrausta nuhilalis) in New Hampshire has been extended moderately 

 and now includes 12 towns. There has been a marked increase in damage 

 done by the Bean WeevU {Bruchus obtectus). Feeding by the Gipsy Moth 

 (Porthetria dispar) has been extensive, but has been accompanied by an 

 increase in the numbers of imported parasites. There has been a definite 

 increase in the numbers of the Browntail Moth {Euprodis chrysorrea) in 

 several localities. 



Variety Tests of Fruits. 



A late frost reduced the crop in the Thompson Orchard and Horticultural 

 Farm and the harvest consisted largely of standard varieties such as Bald- 

 win and Mcintosh. Dudley and Golden DeUcious were added to the list 

 of apple plantings, and Waneta, Opata, and Sapa, of the hardy Hansen Hy- 

 brid type, to the list of plums. It is thought that residents of the colder 

 portions of the state will be interested in the fruit from these trees. 



Advice and aid has been given to H. B. Stevens in the planting of a filbert 

 orchard, which is under observation by the Department of Horticulture, 

 and will give information on the feasibility of growing this class of nuts in 

 this latitude. 



In co-operation with the United States Department of Agriculture, about 

 100 plants of high-bush cranberries have been planted. It is hoped that 

 fruit from these selected bushes may be of value as a substitute for goose- 

 berries and currants which are being eradicated to save the white pine of 

 the state. 



Strawberry variety tests, ia which a few plants each of a large number of 

 varieties assembled from various sources are grown, have been discontinued. 

 A plantation of four leading varieties has been set on a sufficient scale to 

 determine their commercial characteristics fairly accurately. 



Apple Pruning Experiment. 



This experiment has been continued by Mr. Potter as previously outlined 

 to determine the best form of pruning. The difference between the vase- 

 shaped trees and the others is now quite apparent. Since the leader is still 

 being continued in the trees which are to be of modified leader form, these 

 are still very similar to those which are to be of the leader type. The amount 

 of wood removed in pruning and the diameters of the trees were measured 



