38 NEW YORK. STATE MUSEUM 
of injury. The latter, we believe, is due in large part to the in- 
creased vigor of the vines on the heavier soil. Cultivation is an 
important factor in keeping this pest m check, particularly if opera- 
tions are so planned that the surface soil under the vines is thor- 
oughly stirred at a time when the majority of the insects are in 
the pupal or “turtle” stage. The general efficacy of good cultural 
conditions is further emphasized by the fact that though this insect 
occurs in certain yineyards in the Hudson river valley, we have 
yet to hear of serious injuries in this latter section due, we believe, 
largely to the fact that high cultivation and good feeding has been 
the rule for some years. 
Spraying the vineyards, particularly if a bordeaux mixture is 
employed, is exceedingly beneficial, not only because of the insects 
destroyed but on account of the protection afforded from fungous 
diseases. It is by all means advisable to use a poison in the bor- 
deaux mixture, since this destroys a certain number of root worm 
beetles and is also very efficient in killing the first generation of the 
berry worm, Polychrosis viteana Clem. 
Shade tree insects 
White marked tussock moth (IlHemerocampa leuco- 
stigma Abb. & Sm.). _ This destructive leaf feeder was very 
abundant in a number of cities and villages throughout the State 
last year and in some places it was present in considerable numbers 
the past season, despite the fact that many of the conspicuous white 
egg masses were collected and destroyed. The trees of the city 
of Albany were pretty thoroughly cleaned, partly by individual 
work and partly by the newly appointed city forester and his 
men. This insect nearly stripped many horse-chestnut trees in 
the city of Buffalo and was more or less destructive in a number 
of other cities and villages. These attacks occur from year to year 
and yet no determined efforts are made to check the nuisance. This 
species, as has been stated many times, is very easily controlled 
either by removing and destroying the egg masses or by timely 
sprayings with an arsenical poison. The habits of this insect are 
such that it would be comparatively inexpensive to so thoroughly 
clear large districts, that there would be very little danger of injury 
for a series of years, and so far as individual trees or groups of 
trees are concerned, they can be protected without reference to 
the condition of those adjacent unless the branches interlock. All 
that is necessary under these conditions is to remove the egg masses 
