83 



nated. I am free to confess that up V) tlie time of presenting this paper 

 J had very serious doubts as to the possibihty of this ever being- done; 

 not ]>ecause of any fault or neglect among those intrusted with the 

 work, but because it appeared to me that they had attempted au 

 impossibility. I have since spent a day in examining the work in all 

 ot its details, and believe that I saw not only what had been done but 

 also what yet remained to be accomplished: and that, too, with unprej- 

 udiced eyes and mind, and in company with one who clearly had no 

 other motive than to show me every feature preciseh' as it existed, with- 

 out magnifying, minifying, or concealing anything. I now feel con- 

 fident that the question of the extermination of this pest in Massachu- 

 setts is simply one dependent u]K)n tlie support in future given those 

 in charge of the work: rliat with proper support financially this i>est 

 will be absolutely wiped out of existence in America, and that the 

 achievement will be the greatest yet attained, and one of which we 

 shall all feel proud, while it will redound to the credit of economic ento- 

 mology all over the civilized world. — F. 31. \V. 



Mr. Fernald asked if anyone was aware of willful and malicious imiwr- 

 tations of injurious insects from Europe, referring in this connection to 

 the report of the possible transportation of certain American insect 

 pests in the opposite direction. He was himself awaie ot no such cases. 



Mr. Smitli said the only case known to him was the importation of 

 the Ailanthus silkworm. 



Mr. Howard said a report had been made that the hop louse had been 

 introduced into the States of Washington and Oregon from Xew York 

 liop tields by parties interested in the industry in Xew York, but he 

 placed no laith in the story. 



Mr. Sirrine, referring to Mr. Webster's communication, said that he 

 had found about the 1st of 'Uily instances of the purchase of apple 

 trees badly infested with living San Jose scale, which trees had sup- 

 posedly been eifectually treated before being sold and sent out. 



Mr. Smith said that he was aware that these trees had been treated 

 with gas during the winter, and described the methods which had been 

 followed. In the examination made by himself he had found no living- 

 scales, but undoubtedly some living specimens had been left, and prob- 

 ably from tbese the trees had become restocked. lie ])()inted out the 

 necessity of examining every scale before it was possible safely to pro- 

 nounce stock immune, and therefore the impracticability of giving any 

 such indorsement to nurseries. 



Mr. liiley emphasized the extreme diiliculty and great liability to 

 eiior on the part of entomologists should they follow the plan of pro- 

 nouncing any particular nursery free from scale. In some cases cir- 

 cumstances may warrant such an indorsement, especially if there be 



