90 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Perg., is an insect which has attracted comparatively little 

 attention in this State. It was noticed briefly in our preceding 

 report, and during the past summer has become unusually abund- 

 ant on many soft maples in the city of Albany. The birch leaf 

 Bucculatrix, Bucculatrix canadensisella Chamb., was 

 extremely abundant and injurious over an extended area in 1901, 

 and during the present year has been almost as destructive in 

 portions of the same area. The operations of several bark borers 

 were brought to notice in 1901, and it is gratifying to state that 

 the injuries by these destructive little creatures appear to be 

 lessening. An interesting insect bearing the common name of the 

 carrot rust fly, Psila rosae Linn., was brought to our atten- 

 tion last December on account of its operations in celery at Broad- 

 albin, Fulton co. This is believed to be the first instance of the 

 insect being known to occur in the State. 



Office work. It is very gratifying to note that the interest in 

 the work of the office and the demands made on its staff have 

 steadily increased. The determination of scale insects for the 

 commissioner of agriculture, in connection with the nursery 

 inspection work of his department, makes considerable inroads 

 on our time. Most of this delicate and important work has 

 devolved on the first assistant, Mr O. M. Walker. Many photo- 

 graphs of living insects or specimens of their work have been 

 taken during the course of the year, and a number of lantern 

 slides have been added to our collection, which has already been 

 used to excellent advantage in illustrating popular lectures. The 

 mailing list of the office has been largely increased during the 

 past year, principally by paid subscriptions, showing that the 

 public desires our publications and is willing to pay for them 

 when the method of obtaining them is known. The correspond- 

 ence has nearly doubled over that of the preceding year, as is 

 evidenced by the following figures: 1559 letters, 1811 postals, 

 1842 circular letters and 23G9 packages were sent through the 

 mail during the past year. 



The resignation of the first assistant, Miss M. F. Boynton, 

 made a vacancy to which Mr C. M. Walker, then second assistant, 

 was promoted. Mr Douglas B. Young, of Ilion, having success- 

 fully passed the civil service examination, was appointed second 

 assistant. These changes in the office force can not be made 



