50 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



San Jose scale. The control of this destructive insect is still a 

 problem of considerable importance to the horticulturist. The 

 experiments with various insecticides against this species were con- 

 tinued in 1905 and our recent results confirmed in a very gratifying 

 rhanner. The lime-sulfur wash is fully as effective as any other 

 material which has been employed against this insect in the East, 

 and it is a pleasure to state that our earlier studies in the method 

 of preparing this wash have been fruitful of good results, since 

 experience shows that the prolonged boiHng originally insisted 

 upon is unnecessary. We have also demonstrated the possibility 

 of making -a reliable wash with lime and sulfur by employing only 

 a little hot water together with a small amount of sal soda, a sub- 

 stance that is both cheap and easily obtained. This preparation is 

 particularly valuable where but a few trees are to be treated. 



Grape root worm. This pernicious enemy of the vineyardist is 

 generally distributed throughout the Chautauqua grape region and 

 has been under observation during 1905 for the purpose of cor- 

 roborating in a general way the results of our earlier studies given 

 in Museum bulletins 59 and 72, special attention being paid to the 

 danger of its suddenly invading a vineyard in immense numbers 

 and inflicting serious injury. . Certain vineyards were severely 

 damaged in earlier years and these have been carefully watched 

 for the purpose of obtaining accurate data as to the practicability 

 of restoring them. This can undoubtedly be done to advantage- 

 where there is serious injury of but one year's standing provided 

 relief measures are prompt, though it is doubtful whether this is 

 true where hosts of grubs are allowed to work two seasons in 

 succession. 



Gipsy and brown tail moths. These tw^o imported insects have 

 become well established in Massachusetts. The gipsy moth is now 

 well known as an extremely voracious enemy of fruit and forest 

 trees. Its spread is slow, as this species, on account of the female's 

 inability to fly, must rely very largely for dissemination upon the 

 eggs or caterpillars being carried from place to place by the move- 

 ment of animals and the usual means of transportation, by such 

 vehicles as automobiles, electric and steam cars, etc. In spite of 

 this, there is grave danger of its being brought into New York' 

 State at almost any time. The brown tail moth, a more recent 

 introduction, flies readily and has already made^ its way to the 

 Connecticut valley. Like its associate, it is a greedy leaf feeder, 

 living by preference upon our more valuable fruit trees and at the 



