60 THE REPORT OF THE No. 38 



thorough biological study of all injurious forms. In other words, more attention 

 should be given to ecologic or bionomic relations, that is, to the study of the 

 Web of Life. 



A knowledge of inter-relations, even in departments not usually considered 

 in close alliance, is often essential in unravelling the intricate pattern of life's web. 



" Over a ploughed field in the summer morning we see the spider-webs in 

 thousands, glistening with dew-drops, and this is an emblem of the intricacy of 

 the threads in the web of life — to be seen more and more as our eyes grow clear. 

 Or, is not the face of Nature like the surface of a gentle stream, where hundreds 

 of dimpling circles touch and influence one another in an intricate complexity of 

 action and reaction beyond the ken of the wisest ?" — (Thomson). 



CONFERENCE ON THE EUROPEAN CORN BORER. 



Mit. Gibson,, in introducing the subject, discussed in general the corn borer 

 situation in Canada and stated that the pest had been found in southern Ontario 

 on August 10th, 1920. He also gave a brief account of visits which he had made 

 to Massachusetts and New York States where the borer has become established, 

 and referred to important conferences held in Ontario to discuss our infestations. 

 The methods of control which the Entomological Branch had recommended were 

 mentioned. Investigational studies were being made by the Division of Field Crop 

 and Garden Insects chiefly by Mr. H. G. Crawford. The quarantine and scouting 

 work was being done by the Division of Foreign Pests Suppression, under the 

 direction of Mr. L. S. McLaine, Chief of the Division. 



Me. McLaine outlined the work that had been carried on by the Entomological 

 Branch since the corn borer was found in the vicinity of Boston in 1917. The first 

 steps taken were in the spring of 1919 when scouting work was undertaken in the 

 Maritime Provinces and all shipments of corn on the cob from the infested areas 

 in Massachusetts were traced. With the finding of the European Corn Borer in 

 Western New York in the fall of 1919, two Canadian scouts were sent to the New 

 York territory to receive training. Later in the season they scouted Welland 

 County, particularly along the Niagara River. 



Early in August, 1920, scouting was again started in southern Ontario and on 

 August 10th, the first infestation was found at Lorraine Station, Humberstone 

 Township, Welland County. The scouting was finally completed on October 23rd. 

 Thirteen counties in all were scouted of which seven were found to be infested. One 

 hundred and five townships were visited of which thirty-five were infested. As 

 a result of the scouting work two distinct infestations were uncovered. 



Infestation No. 1 extends along the Lake Erie shore from Fort Erie on the 

 east to Dunnville on the west and about ten miles inland. This infestation covers 

 approximately 340 square miles. 



Infestation No. 2 extends along the Lake Erie shore from Bayham township 

 on the east, to Harwich on the west and from Farquhar, TJsboume townsnip, Huron 

 County, on the north to the Lake shore. This infestation covers approximately 

 2,440 square miles. 



Prof. Caesar stated that as soon as he learned of the discovery of the insect, 

 he visited the district, and then appealed to the Ontario Department of Agriculture 

 for the use of a Ford car and the appointment of two scouts. This request was 

 granted and the men joined the Dominion forces and remained on the work until 

 the close of the scouting. One of the scouts', Mr. Garlick, was then assigned to 



