

MONTHLY LETTER OF THE BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 




Number 127 November, 1924 
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FOREST INSECT INVESTIGATIONS 
F. C. Craighead, Entomologist, in Charge 
: : SAH PRON <a ape . ; 
In early November Dr. J. M. Swaine, Associate Dominion Entomologist of Canada, 
‘and Dr. Craighead spent two days at Tallulah, La., observing some of the air- 
plane dusting of cotton. Mr. Coad demonstrated the use of airplanes over cotton 
fields and rorested areas. The possibility of using these machines in forest in- 
sect control work seems assured in cases where .the value of the timber justifies 
‘the expense. It is hoped that within another year it will be possible to test 
this method of dusting on a large scale over forested areas. 
Since the publication of "Tests of Methods of Protecting Woods Against 
Termites or White Ants---A progress report", two inspections have been made of the 
treated stakes at the experimental lot at Falls Church, Va., namely, on October 
moO, 1925, and on November 13, 1924. By 1923 all of the superfical methods of 
preservation by brushing or dipping under ‘test since 1912 had failed; brushing--- 
5 coats applied hot --- was more effective than dipping, and coal-tar creosote 
and carbolineum were more effective than wood creosote. The more permanent im- 
pregnation treatments are still under test. There is some evidence that a creo- 
sote oil with a high naphthalene and normal tar-acid content is more effective 
than the reverse. The empty cell impregnation process does not appear to be as 
effective as the full cell, and coal-tar creosote is more effective than wood 
creosote. -— ; 
R. A. St. George returned November 3 from a two weeks' trip in the South. 
On-October 20 he visited the office of Mr. Johnson, Forester of the Great South- 
ern Lumber Company; Bogalusa, La., to discuss problems relating to insects which 
_affect seedlings in the nursery. A visit to the mill of this company revealed 
; the progress this concern is making in solving problems relating to the utili- 
' gation of waste material. Waste is almost entirely eliminated here. Pieces 
of. wood are resawed and and used in the making of laths, broom handles, box wood, 
' and paper pulp. - Sawdust from the saws and planes is used for fuel. The company 
owns and operates a paper mill, making wrapping paper and paper bags from the 
wood pulp. By a good system of forest management the woods are kept clean. 
The tops of the trees are sold to charcoal burners, who leave nothing behind, 
thus avoiding injury by insects and the danger of forest fires. 
On October 21 Mr. St. George presented a paper entitled, "The Southern Pine 
Beetle and other Insect Enemies of the Southern Forests" before the fourteenth 
annual meeting of the Southern Logging Association, held in the St. Charles Hotel, 
New Orleans, La. The paper was supplemented by an exhibit of specimens and 
photographs of insect work. In addition to the paper he showed the 
