63 



was eaten in some cases for several inches, but the roots were not 

 severed, as is the case when grass is attacked. The grubs appear to 

 prefer the outer tissue to the more fibrous and woody material within. 

 In a letter received from the owner December 22, 1903, it is estimated 

 that 20 per cent of the trees have been destroyed. 



The cankerworm (Paleacrita vernata) occurs locally throughout 

 the State, and during the past few years has done a great amount of 

 damage to apple orchards and in some sections the elm trees have 

 been defoliated. The prospect for a destructive brood last spring was 

 very promising, as many orchards contained large numbers of the 

 young larvae. Early in May the temperature in many parts of the 

 State dropped below the freezing point and in some places ice was 

 formed in the blossoms, so that a large percentage of the prospective 

 fruit crop was ruined. After this time few of the worms could be 

 found in many of the infested orchards, and as this is the testimony 

 of a large number of careful observers it is fair to presume that manj^ 

 of the small worms were killed by the cold weather. 



A general investigation of the cankerworm problem has brought 

 out the fact that the spring species predominates throughout the 

 State. The fall species (Anisopteryx pometaria) is only known to 

 occur in two localities in Columbus, and in one of these colonies, 

 which is near the State university, the females were found depositing 

 their eggs November 23, 1903. 



The San Jose scale (Aspidiotus perniciosus) continues to inflict seri- 

 ous injury to fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs, and is causing 

 large expenditures of both time and money by orchardists and land- 

 owners. It has to a large extent remained unchecked in cities and 

 towns, and many trees and shrubs are now in a dying condition as a 

 result of its attacks. 



During the past season the lime and sulphur washes have come 

 into prominence both experimentally and commercial^. Treatment 

 of peach orchards with either the California or the Oregon wash has 

 given satisfactory results. In a few cases slight injury to the twigs 

 has been noticed, when the former wash was applied, about the time 

 that the buds were starting in the spring. Only a few apple orchards 

 have been sprayed with these washes, but as a rule the scale has been 

 reduced by their use. The cheapness and efficiency render them 

 desirable for spraying operations, and they will be the chief insecti- 

 cides used against this insect during the coming year. 



A colony of the Asiatic ladybird ( Chilocorus similis) was received 

 August 17, through the courtesy of Dr. L. O. Howard, and the two 

 beetles that survived shipment were placed in a peach orchard in 

 Clermont County, which was badly infested with the San Jose scale. 

 A hurried inspection October 28 revealed the presence of twelve 

 beetles, which shows that one generation has been produced. As 

 Clermont is one of the most southern counties in the State, it is hoped 



