9 



tion, we proceeded into the Cascade Range, stopping at Detroit, near 

 the terminus of the railroad, where two da} 7 s were spent in profitable 

 observations of the forest conditions and insect enemies of the cedars, 

 firs, spruces, pines, hemlock, maple, etc. 



May 4, two guides were secured at Berry, Oreg., and we entered the 

 Cascade Forest Reserve. Here I made some important observations 

 regarding a trouble which had caused the death of large numbers of 

 noble firs {Abies nobilis) and hemlock. While I was not able to 

 secure specimens of the insects which doubtless caused the death of 

 these trees (owing to the fact that the trees had been dead too long), I 

 concluded from the character of their work on the outer sapwood that 

 it must be a Buprestid, possibly belonging to the genus Melanophila. 

 Many had healed over before the trees died, thus presenting con- 

 clusive evidence that the}" were attacked while living and probably 

 while in healthy condition. 



While on my way to Portland, May 5, I stopped at Salem and called 

 on Mr. E. C. Giltner, to whom I had a letter of introduction from 

 United States Senator McBride. Mr. Giltner was very kind in giving 

 information and in introducing me to persons who were familiar with 

 the forest conditions of certain sections of the State. 



May 7, 1 proceeded to St. Helen, Oreg. Here investigation was made 

 of a serious trouble affecting the' hemlock and red fir, which proved 

 to be similar to, if not identical with, that affecting the hemlock and 

 noble fir in the Cascade Reserve, near Berry. The work of a 

 Buprestid larva was found in healthy, dead, and dying trees, and I 

 was fortunate in securing a few larvae, also some nice specimens of 

 healed-over galleries. The latter presented conclusive evidence that 

 the attack had been made on healthy, growing trees. It seems that 

 the trees succumb only after several years of successive attack by this 

 insect. The extensive cutting of timber for fuel carried on here does 

 not seem to answer the usual purpose of attracting the insects away 

 from the living trees. Therefore, this is a problem of considerable 

 interest, and, under more favorable conditions for study, should receive 

 attention, in order to determine some method of preventing the rav- 

 ages, which may prove to be even more extensive than at present. 

 In the evening I called on Mr. W. H. Dolman, with a letter of 

 introduction from Senator McBride, and that gentleman, from his 

 experience and practical knowledge, was able to give me valuable 

 information regarding the forest conditions in that section of the State. 



Leaving St. Helen May 8, 1 arrived at Astoria, Oreg. , the next morn- 

 ing, and made observations and collections in this most interesting 

 locality. 



May 9, I proceeded to Seaside, Oreg. , where I learned of a serious 

 trouble affecting the timber some 14 miles back on the Coast Range in 

 the vicinity of Ahlers. I at once secured a guide and horses and pro- 



