82 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



valley, though outbreaks are usually very limited and are, as shown 

 by observations of the preceding year, frequently closely related to 

 unusually favorable winter shelters, such as nearby brush heaps, 

 fences or stone walls and their accompanying weedy growths. 



The temperature variations were so unusual and rapid last spring 

 that it was exceedingly difficult to regulate spraying practices so 

 as to kill the San Jose scale and destroy all the eggs and at the same 

 time not injure the trees. Observations at Athens April 17th 

 revealed numerous psylla eggs and a number of active adults, the 

 latter probably still depositing eggs. The indications were that 

 oviposition would be completed before the blossom buds had advanced 

 so far as to make it unsafe to spray with the lime-sulphur wash at 

 winter strength. The warm weather at this time, however, left 

 a very narrow margin between the completion of oviposition and the 

 development of buds to such an extent that it was unsafe to use the 

 strong lime-sulphur wash. 



Quince curculio (Conotrachelus crataegi Walsh) . 

 This insect is a serious pest and is not easily controlled. The 

 practical difficulties are probably due to the marked variations in the 

 appearance and development of the beetles. The late Professor 

 Slingerland records that in 1896 adults appeared the last week in 

 May, while in 1897 they did not begin feeding until about two months 

 later or the last of July. Observations upon some infested quinces, 

 in company with Mr L. F. Strickland at Newfane July 26th, showed 

 that eggs and young larvae of this pest were rather abundant. Many 

 of the quinces had been injured either by oviposition scars or feeding 

 punctures, and the indications were that a considerable proportion 

 of the fruit would be seriously damaged before the end of the season. 



An examination the latter part of September in the quince orchard 

 of Mr H. E. Wellman at Kendall, showed almost no injury from this 

 pest, though there had been, according to statements by the owner, 

 very serious damage the preceding year. He also added that the 

 pest had been rather troublesome for a number of years. The 

 past season he made three poisoned applications; one just after 

 blooming, a second about two weeks later, and a third the latter 

 part of July; in other words, he gave practically the same treatment 

 as for the codling moth, and our observations failed to show any 

 material injury from the Curculio, though there were a few places 

 here and there where the adults had evidently eaten to some extent. 



It is quite possible, in view of the erratic appearance of the adults, 

 that the earlier applications were unnecessary, especially since 

 recently laid eggs and young larvae were repeatedly found in that 



