New YorK AGRICULTURAL EXFERIMENT STATION. 201 
Another interesting and somewhat similar account of injury 
by the insect was reported in 1899 by Mr. A. H. Kirkland from 
his observations of the behavior of this species in Massachusetts. 
In Winthrop, Revere, and other shore towns in the eastern part 
of the State, the land is somewhat marshy, and the Balm of 
Gilead poplar, being the indigenous tree that thrives best, is 
largely planted in the streets and yards for shade purposes. 
The branches are weakened by the boring of the larva and are 
broken down by the ice storms and winds. At present there is 
hardly a sound Balm of Gilead poplar in the localities men- 
tioned. Mr. Kirkland also states that the work of this beetle 
caused similar injuries to the poplars in the larger nurseries of 
eastern Massachusetts, and that nurserymen were thinking of 
abandoning the growth of poplars and willows. Another 
observer states,! “So abundant is the pest and so extensive its 
ravages, that it is rarely possible to find a good healthy plant 
among the shrubby willows about Boston.” Drs. C. H. and H. 
T. Fernald, entomologists of the Massachusetts Experiment 
Station, reported in 1893? that for several years C. lapathi has 
been present in great abundance. The injuries which it causes 
to willows, poplars and similar soft-wooded trees are frequently 
serious; and it is now almost impossible to raise these trees in 
some localities, thus greatly reducing their value for planting 
as holders of the soil in such places as sandy beaches. 
The dissemination of this insect in the State of New York 
has been easy and rapid, because of.the great number of lakes, 
canals; and small streams that are everywhere bordered with 
willows. The abundance of these trees aids in the propagation 
of the species and undoubtedly serves as a means of distribu- 
tion. The insect spreads not only to the native willows along 
the waterways but also to the ornamental willows in the cities 
and to the cultivated poplars and willows in the nurseries. The 
insect has now become well established in many localities and 
the industry of growing poplars and willows is seriously 
threatened, as well as the usefulness and beauty of trees already 
mature. 
1 J. G. Jack. Gard. and Forest, 10: 394. 1897. 
2 Mass. (Hatch) Agrl. Expt. Sta. Rpt.. 16: 108. . 1903. 
