THE BLACK HILLS BEETLE. I 



in the Black Hills Reserve, studying the life history and habits of the 

 beetle. He also conducted extensive trap-tree experiments, in which 

 over two hundred matured healthy trees were girdled or felled to 

 determine their attractive influence on the Black Hills beetle and 

 other forest-tree insects. In August, 1902, and June, 1903, the 

 writer visited the reserve and made special studies of the beetle and 

 of the trap-tree experiments. In October and November, 1902, and 

 November, 1904, Field Assistant H. E. Burke visited the reserve for 

 the same purpose, and Forest Ranger W. G. Courtney made records 

 of observations on the trap trees from June to October, 1903. 



August 12, 1902, Prof. C. P. Gillette sent specimens of a barkbeetle 

 from Bailey, Colo., with a statement that he had found it in dying 

 pine trees. This proved to be the Black Hills beetle, D. ponderosse, 

 and was the first authentic record of its work in Colorado. 



During a special investigation in May, 1903, the writer found the 

 same species in northwestern New Mexico, in the vicinity of Vermejo, 

 where it was attacking and killing the matured pine timber over a 

 large area. Here the method of cutting and barking the infested 

 trees was recommended. 



In December, 1904, specimens of the beetle were sent by Mr. P. P. 

 Blass, with a statement that a large amount of timber was dying in 

 the vicinity of Palmer Lake. In reply, Mr. Blass's attention was 

 called to the dangerous character of this enemy of pine trees, and 

 published data on the subject, supplemented by written instructions 

 for the cutting and barking of infested trees, were sent him. Upon 

 the suggestion of Mr. Blass, on February 15, 1905, a set of bulletins 

 and written instructions were also sent to the town board of Palmer 

 Lake. This resulted in the cutting and barking of a large number 

 of infested trees by different people in that vicinity. Upon infor- 

 mation from the clerk of the town board of Palmer Lake that the 

 timber was dying in the forest reserve, adjoining the town property, 

 information was conveyed by the writer to the Forest Service, to- 

 gether with copies of recommendations for the cutting and barking 

 of infested timber; also stating that upon receipt of information from 

 the supervisor as to the character and extent of the trouble in the 

 reserve, the Bureau of Entomology would take the matter up with 

 them and, if necessary, send a man into the field to make special 

 investigations. Later a report of May 11, 1905, addressed to the 

 Forest Service by Supervisor Clarke, was referred to the writer on 

 May 17. In reply to this, more detailed instructions were sent to 

 Supervisor Clarke, for the identification of the trees which should be 

 cut, with the statement that it would be more desirable for the 

 Bureau to make an investigation in the fall. 



In a letter dated July 14, 1905, Prof. C. P. Gillette. Stale ento- 

 mologist of Colorado, stated that during a visit to Palmer Lake he 



