6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



risk attaches to the application of mineral oils or preparations of 

 the same to trees in a dormant condition. 



Fruit tree pests. The experiments of the last three years 

 against the codling moth have been continued in the orchard of 

 Mr Thomas Albright, New Baltimore, and very satisfactory returns 

 obtained. The check or unsprayed tree produced only 38.95 per 

 cent of sound fruit, while other trees of the same variety, less 

 than 100 feet away, yielded over 97, and in some instances, more 

 than 98 per cent of worm-free apples. The results obtained in 

 this experiment and those of earlier years were checked by a 

 careful study of representative trees in the orchards of Messrs 

 W. H. Hart, Poughkeepsie, and Edward Van Alstyne, Kinderhook. 

 These latter were sprayed under strictly commercial conditions 

 with no expectation at that time of their being subjected to a 

 test later. The results in these commercial orchards were exceed- 

 ingly gratifying. The northern spies belonging to Mr Hart pro- 

 duced an average of over 98 per cent of sound fruit, while the 

 greenings and Baldwins on the Van Alstyne place gave an average 

 of over 96 per cent of worm-free apples. The results of the past 

 four years' experiments go far to show that under normal crop 

 conditions one thorough and timely spraying for the codling moth 

 should result in producing from 95 to 98 per cent of sound fruit. 

 These tests are of great practical value to the fruit grower, since 

 they afford a reliable basis for correctly estimating the value of 

 spray applications. 



The pear thrips, a minute insect which blasted or nearly destroyed 

 the pear crop in a few orchards in the Hudson valley, was studied 

 with special reference to conditions favoring injury, and the efficacy 

 of spraying with a tobacco preparation demonstrated. The insect, 

 potentially a very dangerous form, is discussed in this report. The 

 work of the pear midge was investigated and a number of extremely 

 desirable photographs of the larva and its work secured. 



Gipsy moth. The danger of injury by this notorious pest was 

 emphasized by the discovery of a small colony, practically restricted 

 to a city block at Geneva. A personal examination of the locality 

 showed that the infestation was probably of three or four years' 

 standing. The chances are at least fair that the insect was intro- 

 duced in that locality with nursery stock, though no undoubted 

 evidence as to the source of the infestation has been adduced. 

 We may expect the discovery of similar colonies from time to 

 time, and for a period at least, no effort should be spared to 



