SPRUCE BUDWORM AND WHITE PINE WEEVIL 151 
THE WHITE PINE WEEVIL, WITH METHODS OF CONTROL 
AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A MODIFIED 
SYSTEM OF PLANTING WHITE PINE 
AND NORWAY SPRUCE 
At one time the greater part of the southern half of Maine was 
covered with forests in which the White Pine was the predominat- 
ing tree. From this fact the state became popularly known as the 
“Pine Tree State.” Even now the uncultivated portions of this 
region support many pine trees and they reproduce naturally sur- 
prisingly well, so that many of the rocky hillsides, farm woodlots 
and pastured woodlands contain a large percentage of new growth 
pine. But how different are these crooked, scrubby or bushy pines 
from the tall trees with their clean, straight boles, characteristic of 
the original virgin forests of this region. A great majority of the 
new growth is of no value commercially except as it furnishes a 
very inferior quality of stove wood and is at least of very doubtful 
ornamental value. yO 
It is undoubtedly true that a considerable part of the land of 
southern Maine is better fitted for the rearing of forest trees than 
for any other use. Foresters usually agree that the white pine 
grows more rapidly, can be harvested sooner, and yields a larger 
return in a shorter time than any other planted forest tree suitable 
to this region. However, in spite of these undisputed facts, it is 
very questionable whether under present conditions, it is wise to 
advise the making of pure plantations of this valuable timber tree. 
This is because of two very serious enemies which threaten the 
destruction of its life or its commercial value. One of these, the 
Pine Blister Rust, is a fungus disease accidentally introduced from 
Europe, while the other is an insect native to this country—the 
White Pine Weevil. At the present time more frequent mention 
of the former of these two pests is heard by those interested in the 
preservation of our forests, than of the pine weevil. This is due 
largely to a well-organized propaganda based upon a real menace 
to the white pine and its kindred species, and should in no degree be 
discouraged or hampered. It is doubtless also due to the fact that 
a new, formerly unknown danger always appeals more strongly 
than an equally great or even greater one, to which one has become 
