FIFTH REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR I908 



4.1 



throughout the grape belt, severe injuries by it have been con- 

 fined to restricted areas. The grape blossom midge was respon- 

 sible for an unprecedented outbreak, and destroyed from 50 to 

 75$ of the blossoms on one acre of Moore's early grapes at Fre- 

 donia. It was generally present throughout the grape section and 

 somewhat abundant in limited portions of certain vineyards. It 

 is probable that this species has been responsible for failure to 

 fruit in other cases where the losses were attributed to some un- 

 known cause or possibly to unfavorable weather conditions. This 

 insect is now under investigation. We hope to solve its life his- 

 tory next spring, a necessary preliminary to devising a practical 

 method of preventing serious injury in the future. 



Shade tree protection. Ravages by the elm leaf beetle have been 

 ver}' severe in many Hudson valley cities and villages and, as a 

 result, popular interest in the welfare of our shade trees has greatly 

 increased. This concern has been accentuated by extensive de- 

 foliations inflicted by the white marked tussock moth, a species 

 which has been quite injurious in Buffalo for some years past. 



Injuries by these and other shade tree pests have emphasized 

 most strongly the recommendations of the Entomologist and, as a 

 result, more than ever before is being done to protect shade trees. 

 The work of the city forester of Albany has been very beneficial 

 in spite of certain hindrances. The city of Buffalo has at last 

 committed itself to a definite policy of shade tree protection. A 

 forester has been appointed and excellent work already accom- 

 plished in that municipality. The authorities of several villages 

 have given careful consideration to shade tree protection and there 

 is a good prospect that more will be done another year. The work 

 against the gipsy moth, noticed below, has resulted in a marked 

 improvement in the spraying outfit. We believe that certain of 

 this apparatus, modified to suit our conditions, could be adopted to 

 advantage and would prove of much benefit, since, by making the 

 spraying easier and quicker, it would afford largely increased ef- 

 ficiency. Work upon shade tree insects, consisting mostly of local 

 examination and recommendation, has consumed much time and 

 has been productive of marked improvement in the welfare of the 

 trees. 



Gipsy and brown tail moths. These two insects have continued 

 their injurious work in Massachusetts, the first named being by 

 far the more destructive. The gipsy moth has -been found in small 

 numbers at both Springfield and Greenfield, Mass., as recorded in 



