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ENTOMOLOGIST

(AMES FLETCHER, LLD, PRSC, PLS)

ENT AUTHOR'S EDITION
FROM ANNUAL REPORT ON EXPERIMENTAL FARMS F OR

ee

THE YEAR 1902

CANADA

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM (ottaxs os

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST /

(JAMES FLETCHER, LL.D., F.R.S.0., F.LS.)

1902

($3488

OTTAWA
GOVERNMENT PRINTING BUREAU
1903

ING TD A

PaGE PAGE
EntTomo.ocist & Bor: seine of. 169-201 | Enromotocist & Boranist, Report »f—Con
Acknowledgments... ........... : 17 Hickey, Mrs. C. E., on strawberry pests... 190
CA MOSLL SUG GUUS I aii ciesceetere alent neice > 199 Horn-tlys Cattle,,. ack le oe ciokteake eee 171
Allan, J. H., & Co., on Pea Weevil.. ... 178 Hydrocyanic acid eerass aie aa ks
PAU OMOMISD tara ake Cota ah! woah ciel ane eee 186 Insects of the year.. a Preps A W/(ll
Anderson, J. ete acknow Wiest atcab LOIg. ces ce 172 James, Prof. C. C., ‘on crops. wislataetor crake npetetaes 173
note on crops.. FE PRE Ro AE ERNE 173 acknowledgment LO': J ath Atte Mestanes ie eyete ee 177
ADI AT Ys Saeco ae wee ieee Te atten & 191 Kerosene emulsion, for San José Seale. .... 189
BOASOMMOh LOND rae bo) mrs series ine Sree 192 DALY rs SAUUIUSs sac ck) eee eae 185
experiments, different kinds of hives. .... 192 Lime and sulphur wash, for San José Scale. 188
feeding syrup for winter stores. . te LOS 1 ox et eee Minn Ector He Abn eC: 185
brood foundations of different sizes. .. 193 Lochhead, Prof. W., work on Pea Weevil.. 176
do hees injare fruit Pca. 25 oni an 2s - 194 Matthews, W. D., & Co., on Pea Weevil... 178
Asgpidtotus pernictosus... 5... 222. se: 187 McKellar, FA (OM COPS: fs: Mis ace te eeee 173
Bisulphide of carbon for Pea Weevil. ...... 181 Mediterranean Flour Moth. ...........-. 171
BlueiGrass Canadass. enna eaten bien 199 Meetings attended.......... ............ 169
TREO MIGUCK Yo isles stea's Siesssa areea sano rare ere ne 198 Melanoplus atlanis.. .... cl sisiele tance Actos 186
Brome Grass, Awnless............. a 198 Divittatus iran To tatelene oN ee mene ‘186
Brown-tailed) Moth: .-. uence vaste 171 (POCKOTOVUN se eet. sa artals SSeS 186
Bruce, John A., & Co., on Pea Weevil... 185 SPMELUSL® aeis)s sane PUREE ane rocies | ile
ERTILCIE US MIESOT UM <a). surat nuvieretl aie sulciaehn esr 175 MARU OU TEMUCT GILAD Oo. A ANBAR AG Sees oon 190
Bud-moth, Eye-spotted................... 171 Niles, Wir B., on. Pea Weevil............ 178
Buffalo Carpet Beetle... ................. 171 on ‘‘ oily peas’ ae EAR an ve lis:
Burke; Rev. A. E., om crops... fo./.5.2.- 173 OxchardiGrassen nny snes ea eee 198
California lime and sulphur wash.......... 170 Paris green mixture for Locusts ... .... 186, 187
Carruthers, Jas., & Co., on Pea Weevil. .177, 178 Pea Aphis, Destructive. Stace 179
Cecidomyia destructor Sat ok 173 Sh eae a oteia ul Tals 2 eee Neen at ee ke 175
Cereals, insect enemies of. .... .... ...... 173 Gan NOt? 2G. U eh peace eee Le ee 179
Chess and fall wheat plots. ee ase a OA 170 Pear Wieevilly 380.325. Sprache ye cee hee 175
Cleveland Seed Co., on Pea Weevil........ 178 extent of the injury... «tsa ese denne 177
Clover,/Common) Hed): ses anise eee 200 necessity of immediate action.. ... .... 177
Miammothuvedy iy jaune Uneeets aee 200 Gifficultiestexde cans Hees oe eee kee 180, 184
Simpson’s True-perennial Red ......... 199 FEMECIOS: sha cals eaaen/aete oe ert Charen ae 181
Zigzag...... wre, eicieclSeqeneast ae Rat et NON ase 200 TECEM MENG A OUS ata eee 183
Clovers in grass mixtures............ 5 ayy substitute crops... . 0 2.0. Jee. .0 Sarees 185
Coal oil treatment for Pea Weevil..... ... 182 Peterson), CW. .0n Cropse acue keds we ones 173
Cockle, J. W., acknowledgment to.... .. 172 Petroleum, crude, for San José Seale...... 188
Collections, entomologica] and botanical... 172 Petrophora UPUTICOMD # Jicesicte ots ai efo aacore eeee 190
Correspondence 3s.....2.%) cars g< sen ae- Peer: pelGg PRMCUM: DIALER \5 Wie. a cee eee 199
Cows Grasse is aoa eielne cna ce: 200 Y THe MEG A Rae Te OG og Mies & 183
Criddle, N., on Locusts............ Wate ae 186 POG COMUPT ERE ws sie) 0 diac walt gate sarge as og 199
Dactylis glomerata. . SO HB Bie > 169 PT OLENSTS. «Pie cci aes caste eect OS AE 198
DeLaporte, A. V. , on Pea Weevil. ....... 178 Real, W. N., on coal oil for Pea Weevil. 182
Epicauta penns ylvanica ber nnd ign omrrcie IE 2.) LS6 Red Top.. Si Shoah tra: star tyosi ssn lee aise taa AAC am US ge 199
SOTLCOUIUON Sei SATO ea Oe: oeege 86, Ross, W., M.P., on coal oil for Pea Weevil. 182
Hescue; Meadows sass eects aon 198 San OS SCA Os aay, ci cette eae 171, 187
Festuca pratensis. . 198 Scopelosoma tristigmata........... ....... 191
Fisher, Geo. E., on remedies for San José Simpson, W., on Simpson’s True-perennial
Si A ME ik sHusfoan iat Lol Bed Claven’ ou. alan amn Ore 200
on application of emulsions.............. 189 MSIE sa Sei ticae arp au latm che abs aa dd 171
Fixter, John, report Byes Yeu vtesarst eee 192 Soap, whale-oil, for San José Scale. . 188, 189
Had der Crops's.(.0 <.iede een serena 196 Steele Briggs Seed Co., on Pea Weevil..... 177
Fodder plants. . A ShewetooacrnO Strawberry pests, two Tew ae 190
Fruit crops, insect enemies of. ............ 187 Stupart, R. F., acknowledgment to........ 177
Fumigation stations............ A dace Meare aeote 190 Sulphur fumigation for Mediterranean Flour
Grass experiments... Jeade Age 252s < 170, 196 MGI RNS cr cece Woe cede cies meee ea eae 171
Grass mixture, Central Experimental Farm. 196 Taylor, Rev. G. W., acknowledgment to.. 172
Grass mixtures, experiments with..... .... 197 Timothy. SALTO tree Me roe AG MIRE Fie 4 199
Grass Peas Ws) Seveae as BO les Macaca Be, ales, Trifolium MECON GRE NE V2 OUNCE eae 200
Grasshoppersiai. te. cen deste sacs Reser 3 187 DUGLCTUSE NES. Rae et) aes, Cee ted 200
Hay from grass mixtures.................- 197 Wright, A. A., on Pea Weevil... ....... 178
Hessian Bly sicapecdsae an secon anatase 173

8629

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Srupson’s TRUE-PERENNIAL RED CLOVER.

1. Showing stoloniferous habit of growth.
2. Plot, 33 ft. x 8 ft. 3 in., in flower, Height, 6-12 in.

*

2-3 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1993

Rh PoRT

OF THE

MN TOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST

(James Fiercuer, LL.D., F.L.S., F.R.S.C.)

1902.

Orrawa, December 1, 1902.

Dr. Wm. SAUNDERS,
Director of Dominion Experimental Farms,
Ottawa,

Str,—I have the honour to hand you herewith a report on some of the more impor-
tant subjects which have received attention in the Division of Entomology and Botany
during the year 1902. Many other subjects have taken up some of the time of the
staff, but do not require special treatment in this report. The ever increasing number
of applications for information continue to give encouraging evidence as to the utility
of the investigations carried on year by year in the Division. The gradual but sure
adoption by farmers of such scientific methods of protecting their crops from the attacks
of injurious insects and destructive fungi, as spraying, &c., must to a large measure be
traced directly to instructions given by officers of the Experimental Farms.

Correspondence.—The large correspondence of the Division has been of the usual
varied character, and as in the past shows a considerable increase in the numbers of
letters received. From November 30, 1901, to November 390, 1902, the number of letters
exclusive of circulars, registered as received, is 3,215, and the number despatched 2,845.

Meetings attended.—Meetings of farmers’ institutes, and agricultural associations of
various kinds, have been attended whenever other official duties would allow of my
absence from Ottawa.

January 8 to 10, Whitby, Ont.—The Eastern Ontario Dairymen’s Association, where
addresses were delivered : (1) ‘ Hay and Pasture Grasses,’ ‘ The Cultivation of Flowers.’
The Ontario Ladies College :—‘The Value of Nature Study in Education.’

January 20 to 24, Wolfville, N.S.—Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association : (1)
‘Insects Injurious to Fruits’, (2) ‘The San José Scale in Canada.’

January 23, Amherst, Nova Scotia Farmers’ Association: ‘ Farmers’ Friends and
Foes’, ‘ Pasture Grasses, Potato Rot, and Injurious Insects.’

February 5, Howick, Que.—Huntingdon Dairymen’s Association: (2) ‘ Potato
Rot’, (2) ‘Quack Grass, Perennial Sow Thistle and other Weeds’, (3) ‘The Care of
House Plants.’ ~

February 7, Cowansville, Que.—District of Bedford Dairymen’s Association : (1)
‘Insects Injurious to Farm Crops’, (2) ‘The best Pasture Grasses for Quebec Province’,
(3) ‘Potato Rot,’ (4) ‘Perennial Sow ay and Quack Grass.’

. 169

170 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS

2-3 EDWARD VII., A. 1903

February 17, Hamilton, Ont.—Hamilton Horticultural Society: The Flora of the
Rocky Mountains.’

February 18, Toronto.—Toronto Normal School : ‘ Nature Study.’

March 6, Ottawa.—Canadian Forestry Asociation: Discussion of Forest Insects.

March 21, Ottawa.—Ottawa Normal School: ‘Our Common Birds and What
they do.’ ;

May 20, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines —Examining the experiments by Mr.
Geo. E. Fisher, the Provincial Inspector for controlling the San José Scale.

June 4, Orillia, Ont.—Orillia Horticultural Society : ‘ Remedies for Orchard Insects
and how to apply them’. The East Simcoe Farmers Institute: ‘Insects injurious to
farm crops.’

June 12-30.—Holding meetings in south-eastern Alberta for the North-west
Government.

July 28-31.—Attending the Summer School of Science at St. Stephen, N.B., where
an address was delivered on July 30 upon ‘ Nature Study in Education ’, and some other
addresses before the botanical class of the Summer School.

August 5-11.—Holding farmers’ meetings in Prince Edward Island in company with
Prof. Robertson, at Summerside on 5th, Kensington on 6th, New Perth on 7th, Char-
lottetown on 8th, Crapaud on 9th, and Tignish on 11th.

August 14, Aylmer, Que.—Fruit Growers’ Association of Quebec : ‘ Fruit Insects of
the year’.

aan. 9-10, Brome, Que.— Attending the Brome County Exhibition, where an
exhibit was arranged showing growing fodder grasses, as well as bundles of the dry hay
and all the weeds of the district in a fresh and preserved condition.

September 12.—Visited Oka, Que., and examined the experiments which had been
made some years ago in planting pine groves to prevent sand from blowing, and also the
gardens of the Trappists’ Monastery, and the extensive orchards of Mr. R. W. Shepperd.

September 23, Richmond, Ont.—Carleton Model Fair : Judged the collections of
natural history objects made by the teachers and school children of the district, and
gave an address on the value of these to the farmers assembled.

September 24, Whitby, Ont.—Model Fair. Judged the collections made by the
teachers and school children of the district in the afternoon, and in the evening gave an
address on the value of this work to farmers and particularly to the parents of the
children engaged in the work.

September 25.-—Visited Niagara Falls, investigating the progress of the San José
Scale experiments, and inspected the Fumigation Station.

October 28, St. Catharines and Niagara-on-the-Lake.—Accompanied the Ontario
San José Scale Commission, examining the experiments in treating trees for the San
José Scale by the Provincial Inspector.

October 29, London, Ont.—Entomological Society of Ontario, annual meeting.
Addressed Pea Weevil Conference in the afternoon 30th. ‘ Injurious Insects of the
year’ and ‘Entomological Record for 1902’. Three papers were also read at this
meeting by my assistant, Mr. Gibson.

Fodder Plants.—The copious rains of the past season gave the experimental grass
plots, a chance to recover from the effects of injury from drought last year and severe
frost early in the winter of 1901-02. The growth of all varieties was very luxuriant,
and the large collection of grasses and clovers attracted the attention of all visitors.
Among experiments of special interest were rows of peas grown to illustrate the injury
done by the Pea Weevil and the Pea Moth; also beds of fall wheat sown at different
dates last autumn, and plots of Chess and fall wheat which are planted every year to show
farmers that these two plants have no relationship to each other. During the summer
we have been able to convince many, who thought otherwise, that this is the case, by
digging up plants of chess after the heads have appeared, and showing that the chess seed
was still attached to the roots. This seed is entirely different from that of fall wheat,
having a husk upon it which bears a fringe of bristles along each side of the conspicuous
groove. I would suggest to some of those who still believe that chess is ‘degenerated

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST 171

SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16

fall wheat’ that they try this experiment for themselves. They «will at any rate convince
themselves that chess plants will grow from chess seeds, which is frequently stated not
to be the case. Several new varieties of grasses and clovers have been added to the
collection during the past year.

Insects of the year.—A satisfactory feature of the year 1902 has been a marked de-
crease in the injuries by some of our well known pests, such as the Codling Moth, the
Cankerworms and the Tent Caterpillars, through most of our fruit-growing districts.
Insect enemies which require at the present time more attention than they are receiving
from the people most concerned, are the following. The Mediterranean Flour Moth,
although seldom mentioned, is becoming abundant in mills in various parts of
Canada. Where thorough fumigation with sulphur has been tried and frequently
repeated, the best results have been obtained. This, of course, must be accompanied
with scrupulous cleanliness, the mills being frequently swept down, and as small a stock
as possible of ground grain or cereal products, kept on hand. Opening the mills fre-
quently to the full intensity of the winter cold, has also been useful in checking this
insect. The Buffalo Carpet Beetle is extending the range over which it is a troublesome
household pest. The Eye-spotted Bud-moth did considerable harm in the orchards of
the Maritime Provinces last spring. In Manitoba, particularly about Sewell Station,
much loss resulted from neglecting to fight Locusts. The wheat crop of Manitoba was
in some places rather seriously injured by the Hessian Fly, but the Provincial Depart-
ment of Agriculture has made widely known the best way to cope with this pest. The
San José Scale work in south-western Ontario is now beginning to bear excellent fruit,
in the discovery of what may be called a practical remedy for this terrible pest. It has
been shown during the past summer that trees which have been thoroughly sprayed
early im the spring with the California lime-sulphur-and-salt wash, as well as with a
modification of this, with the salt omitted, and subsequently with the ordinary kerosene
emulsion, may be kept free from injury by the San José Scale. There is every reason
to hope that, as this remedy becomes more generally applied, the San José Scale may be
brought down to the status of an ordinary fruit pest. It will, however, require con-
stant and extreme care, or the state of the orchards will soon revert to what it was
a year ago. The San José Scale is still the very worst insect we have ever had to fight,
and there must as yet be no relaxation whatever in the campaign against it. The insect
requiring perhaps more attention than any other at the present time, is the Pea
Weevil, which annually destroys upwards of one miilion dollars worth of the field peas
of Ontario. I have endeavoured to draw particular attention to this insect with the
object of inducing all pea growers, whether seed merchants, farmers or private individuals,
to adopt the well tried and simple remedies by which this insect can be much reduced in
numbers. There are perhaps more reasons to hope that total extinction of this serious
enemy might be attained than is the case with many others we have to deal with. The
Cattle Horn-fly, possibly from the nature of the season, increased noticeably in many
parts of Canada, particularly in the maritime provinces, whence frequent demands for
advice were received. Another result of the wet weather which prevailed in most parts
of Canada, was the somewhat unusual amount of injury from slugs. These molluses
are not insects, but it is to the student of insects that most inquiries regarding them are
directed.

There were no important additions to our list of injurious insects during the past
year. The incident of greatest interest was the occurrence of a single specimen of the
Brown-tailed Moth at St. John, N. B., where it was captured by Mr. Wm. McIntosh of
that city. This is a European pest which, after the notorious Gypsy Moth, has caused
more anxiety than any other insect in the New England States, excepting perhaps the
San José Scale. Two fruit pests, enemies of the strawberry, the caterpillars of a geom-
eter moth, Petrophora truncata, and of a noctuid, Scopelosonea trisignata, probably only of
minor importance, have been received from British Columbia. These are widely distri-
buted insects but have never previously been complained of as enemies of the fruit
grower. :

172 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS
2-3 EDWARD VII, A. 1903

Collections.—The work of arranging the collections in the Division of Entomology
and Botany and putting them in such condition that they can be easily consulted by
visitors, has progressed satisfactorily. Large numbers of specimens of both insects and
plants have been received, and the collections are becoming a valuable source of reference.
Mr. J. A. Guignard, who has charge of the herbarium, has added many mounted plants
from all parts of the Dominion, which have been received from correspondents, sent in
for identification, or collected by the various officers of the Division. Mr. Arthur
Gibson has continued the arrangement of the cabinets of insects, and has added many
interesting specimens illustrative of the life histories and habits of crop pests and other
insects.

During the season, as heretofore, many students in all parts of the Dominion have
sent in specimens of insects and plants for identification. Many large collections have
been received for this purpose, from which much valuable knowledge, as to the distribu-
tion of our native insects and plants, and as to the occurrence of the weeds of cultivated
lands, has been gathered. Records have been taken of these, and in addition many desir-
able specimens have been acquired for the museum. So many collectors have generously
presented specimens for our cabinets that it would be impossible here on account of
limited space to give a list of these, but mention must be made of the following :

A representative collection of British Columbian Geometride from the Rev. G. W.
Taylor, of Wellington, B.C. .

Collections in all orders of insects, and many consignments of the eggs of rare
mountain species, from Mr. J. W. Cockle, of Kaslo, B. C.

Rare British Columbian plants, from Mr. J. R. Anderson, Victoria, B. C.

Acknowledyments.—As in the past I have been during the season of 1902 under
great obligations to my many correspondents, including several members of the Select
Standing Committee of the House of Commons on Agriculture, who have notified me
of outbreaks of injurious insects and have assisted in carrying out experiments for con-
trolling the same. It is not possible to report upon a great deal of this work at the end
of each year, but careful records are always preserved, and, when occasion demands for
the treatment of any subject in the annual report, great care is taken to give proper
credit for such assistance where it is due. The value of exact observations is constantly
being illustrated in the scientific study of insects, and this even many years after the
observations were made. In devising remedies for injurious insects, the success or fail-
ure of these will in all cases depend on the accuracy of our knowledge concerning the
habits of the insects to be fought against.

In conclusion, I take pleasure in again testifying to the assiduity and excellent
work constantly done by my assistants, Mr. J. A. Guignard, B. A., and Mr. Arthur
Gibson, to which such success as has attended the development of the Division is largely
due. ;

I have the honour to be, sir,
Your obedient servant,

JAMES FLETCHER,

Entomologist and Botanist.

Bt

’

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST 173

SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16

DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.

CEREALS.

Reports from all parts of the Dominion announce that the grain crop of 1902 has
been abundant and of good quality with little injury by the ordinary insect pests. Any
injury mentioned is from weather. In British Columbia Mr. J. R. Anderson says :
‘Weather conditions were good and the crops correspondingly so. The yield of wheat
in the Okanagan was very large and the quality extra good.’ In the North-west
Territories Mr. A. W. Peterson described the crop of all kinds of grain as ‘ enormous
beyond precedent and of the finest quality.’ Crops of fall wheat seen by me at Pincher
Creek and among the Mormon settlements of south-western Alberta can only be described
as magnificent, notwithstanding the excessive rains of June and July. In Manitoba
Mr. McKellar sums up the reports from his correspondents as follows: ‘The best crop
ever raised in Manitoba ; wheat No. 1 hard or No. 1 Northern. It is hardly possible
to describe the perfect weather with which this province was blessed during harvest and
threshing. Never in the history of the province was so much work done in the short
period of ten weeks, and the garnering of the greatest crop ever grown in the province
was done almost without interruption. Of our crop of over 50 millions of bushels of
wheat, half was already marketed by the end of November. Threshing was practically
finished and more fall ploughing done by the middle of November than was done alto-
gether last fall. All grain crops are equally large; we have upwards of 35 million
bushels of plump heavy oats and nearly 12 millions of barley.’ Prof. James reports the
yield of fall wheat in Ontario as ‘above the average for 20 years, and spring wheat, good
both in yield and quality.’. ‘The chief damage to crops everywhere was from rain ;
comparatively little injury was done by insect pests, despite the fears entertained of the
Hessian Fly.’ The same satisfactory reports come from Quebec and the maritime pro-
vinces. Fathe: Burke, of Prince Edward Island, writes in November last : ‘ The harvest
is abundant, and, as the loss from insects has been almost nil, the farmer wears his sun-
niest smile in the presence of bursting barns and well filled cellars.’

The only insect enemies of cereal crops requiring mention this year, are the Hessian
Fly and locusts, in Manitoba.

THE HESSIAN FLY
(Cecidomyia destructor, Say).

The remarkable and almost entire disappearance of the Hessian Fly from the wheat
fields of Ontario in 1902 after the excessive injury in 1901, is a subject of constant and
grateful comment by correspondents. There has been, however, slight injury in Prince
Edward Island. A few straws containing puparia were sent in by Mr. E. Wyatt, of
Pleasant Grove, P.E.I., but the loss in the field from which they were taken was hardly
perceptible, and no other correspondents make mention of it. In travelling through
Prince Edward Island in August last, I could neither hear of nor see any trace of this
pest. The most notable attack by the Hessian Fly in 1902 has been in the wheat crop
of Manitoba, and several specimens of injured straws were received in September and
October. Reports were also received in June of injury to the root shoots of growing
wheat at Treesbank, Man. This attack at the root is very seldom noticed by farmers,

174 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS
2-3 EDWARD VIL, A. 1903

and other causes are suggested to account for the destruction of the plants, which is
frequently considerable. Mr. Criddle, of Aweme, is of the opinion that many of the
reports concerning cutworm injury in the wheat
fields through that part of Manitoba where he
is, should really refer to Hessian Fly. Mr. A.
Cooper, of Treesbank, sent me specimens of
wheat, saying under date of June 3: ‘I have
noticed a great many dead and dying wheat
plants in this locality this spring, and have ex-
amined my own fields to try and learn the
cause. When the injury was first noticed, the
wheat was three or four inches high. To-da
I find a small white maggot imbedded in that
part of the stem below the ground between
NY the surface and the seed, and, after examining

YX, your report on Hessian Fly for 1899, page 167,
* { came to the conclusion that this fly was the
cause of the damage. The place where the
damage is worst on my land, is on a piece of
spring ploughed stubble land which bore a
heavy crop last year and was ploughed five
or six inches deep: this spring. The injury
seems to be worst wherever the land is loosest.
One place where my cattle had tramped the
ee ground hard there is noinjury. <A neighbour’s
Fig. 1.—The Hessian Fly: attacked barleystems; Summer-fallowed field is far worse than mine.

1, elbowed down; 2, showing ‘flax seeds.’ fam afraid of further injury later in the sum-
mer from these pests, which I suppose is bound to happen, should my diagnosis be cor-
rect. —A. COoopER.

This is the only district in which the attack on the root shoots was noticed, but
later in the year several reports were received of injuries at Stockton, Wawanesa,
Rounthwaite, Blythe and Aweme. When the wheat was cut, it was found that in
certain places in western Manitoba many of the straws were broken down from having
been injured by the Hessian Fly. Articles were published in the press by the Deputy
Minister of Agriculture for Manitoba, and by Mr. W. H. Coard, of the Commissioner
of Agriculture’s Branch at Ottawa, in which the life history of the Hessian Fly was given
and the best means of dealing with it. There is only one annual brood of the Hessian
Fly in Manitoba, the eggs being laid upon the leaves of the young plants, and, accord-
ing to the development of the plant at the time the maggots attack it, the larve are
found either in the axils of the leaves below the surface of the ground, or, if the stem
has begun to shoot, in the axils of those leaves on the stem nearest to the ground.
The maggots assume the flax seed or pupa condition about mid-summer ; but the flies in
the hot dry autumns which prevail in Manitoba, probably in most cases and certainly
in many, as I have seen by actual observation, do not emerge until the following spring.
Therefore, the problem of controlling the Hessian Fly in Manitoba is far simpler than
in the Hast, where the greatest damage is done to fall wheat in the autumn. In Man-
itoba no fall wheat is sown; so, if any flies emerge in the autumn, they die without
doing any harm, because no winter grain is sown in Manitoba, and the Hessian Fly does
not subsist on any wild grasses. The remedy, therefore, is comparatively simple.
When Hessian Fly is known to be present, grain should be cut high and the stubble
burned over or ploughed down in autumn. For fear that any of the flax seeds might
be carried in the straw, this should be fed to stock or burned before the time that the
flies emerge the following spring. Many of the flax seeds may be seen beneath thresh-
ing machines when straw has been badly infested. Therefore, all screenings or rubbish
from machines should be put where poultry can get at it, or where it will be trampled
into the ground during the winter by stock.

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST ‘175

SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16
THE PEA WEEVIL OR ‘PEA BUG’

(Bruchus pisorum, Linn.).

Attack.—A small, brownish-gray, very active beetle, one-fifth of an inch long, with
uwo conspicuous black spots on the end of the body, which emerges from seed peas in
autumn or in spring, leaving a small round
hole. The insect is generally spoken of
under the incorrect name of ‘ Pea Bug,’
and infested peas, as ‘buggy’ peas.
The egg is laid on the outside of the
young pod, and the grub on hatching eats
its way in and penetrates the nearest pea.
Here it remains until full grown, consum-
ing the interior of the pea and passing
through all its stages, from a white fleshy
grub to the pupa, and then to the perfect
beetle. Some of the beetles, the percent-
age varying with the season, escape from
the peas, occasionally as early as harvest
time, or during the autumn, and pass the winter hidden away under rubbish or about
barns and other buildings. As a rule, however, the larger proportion do not under
ordinary circumstances leave the peas until the time when peas are sown the following
spring, and consequently may be carried into new districts previously uninfested. It
may be added to this that the perfect insects fly easily and for long distances, and that
they are attracted by instinct to growing fields of peas, where they feed upon the foliage
and flowers of the plants until the young pods are formed. The beetles which leave the
peas in autumn and those which remain in the seeds till the following spring, all become
fully developed at the same time, which is about the middle cf August, and-all, whether
they winter outside the peas or inside the grain, die about the same time the following
season, viz., during the month of June.

The life history and habits of the Pea Weevil are so well known, and have been so
frequently explained to farmers and other pea growers that it may seem superfluous to
some for me again to draw attention to this matter, However, the loss at the present
time is so great and is increasing so rapidly year by year that it is, I believe, the most
important subject in connection with my official work, which I have to-day to bring
before Canadian farmers ; and, as I fully believe that an enormous improvement can be
made without difficulty in the existing deplorable condition of affairs, simply by
practising more universally methods which are well known to be effective and which
are to some extent used, the Hon. Minister of Agriculture has instructed me to do
everything in my power to urge everyone connected with the growing, handling and
marketing of peas, to unite in one great effort to reduce the serious loss which is taking
place every year. If this can be done, I see no reason to doubt that even total extermi-
nation of this serious pest might be arrived at in a comparatively short time. There is
nothing new in the way of remedies, nor, indeed, are any better remedies than have been
known for many years, necessary. Since 1888 attention has been constantly drawn in
my reports to the remedies which have been found effective, but apparently little has
been done, and the insect has now increased so much in all the counties of the province
of Ontario, where formerly peas of the very finest quality were produced, and which lie
to the south of a line drawn from Kincardine on Lake Huron, through Lake Simcoe and
Peterborough county about Fenelon Falls to Brockville, that pea growing is no longer
a paying industry. Moreover, from the efforts made by seedsmen to obtain peas unin-
jured by the weevil, by having them grown in uninfested districts, the range of infesta-
tion has been widely spread in counties lying to the north of this line, because seed peas
have been sent out for propagation for this purpose which had not been properly treated
before sowing so as to destroy the contained weevils.

Vig. 2.—The Pea Weevil: all stages—shown of the
natural size and enlarged.

176 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS

2-3 EDWARD VII, A. 1903

The importance of the Pea Crop both to the farmer for feeding, and for the excel-
lent condition the land is afterwards left in for the cultivation of other crops, as well as
to the merchant for export, makes it most advisable that everything possible should be
done to preserve the trade in this important cereal. At the present time there is a most
decided inclination on the part of farmers to give up growing peas on account of the
difficulty of securing a crop free of the weevil. In many districts where formerly large
and very remunerative crops were grown, hardly any are now sown, and the decrease in
the acreage sown to peas in Ontario in 1902, as given in the Crop Bulletin for August
last, of the Ontario Bureau of Industries, is 70,000 acres less than in 1901. It is pos-
sible that this diminution in the number of peas sown may to a certain degree affect
beneficially the amount of occurrence of the Weevil next year, but this alone cannot
possibly solve the question at issue, i.e., such a wholesale destruction of the Pea Weevil,
that the whole of the province of Ontario may again become what it certainly was in
the past, the best country in the world for the production of peas of the highest quality
on the market. This end, I am confident, is well within the bounds of reasonable possi-
bility, but will depend upon a much wider application than has ever been practised in
the past, of concerted measures, which must be adopted simultaneously wherever peas
are grown, both in Canada and the United States.

I have carried on during the past season a very extensive correspondence with the
leading grain merchants, seedsmen, farmers, and other pea growers in the province of
Ontario as well as in Montreal, from which port the greater part of the crop for export
is shipped. From this correspondence I have been able to learn, I believe, pretty
thoroughly what the condition of affairs, with regard to the destruction of the pea crop
by the Pea Weevil, is at the present time. This article is written as a special effort to
induce everybody concerned, to do something now, more definitely and in a more con-
certed manner than has ever been done before. An agitation has already been created
through the efforts of this Division working conjointly with the Provincial Department
of Agriculture through Prof. Lochhead, of the Ontario Agricultural College at Guelph.
An important conference was held at the annual meeting of the Entomological Society
of Ontario, when a resolution was passed requesting the Superintendent of Farmers’
Institutes for Ontario to allow this matter to be brought prominently before every farmers’
institute meeting in the province during the coming winter. Mr. G. C. Creelman, the
energetic Superintendent of Farmers’ Institutes for Ontario, very soon afterwards sent
out to all institute workers a circular letter in which is plainly shown the great interest
taken in this matter by the Provincial Minister of Agriculture. In this circular, all who
are going to address institute meetings this winter were instructed to attend the annual
meeting of the Experimental Union and Provincial Winter Fair at Guelph, and it is
stated to be the wish of the Minister that, ‘all institute workers should this year be pre-
pared to discuss the Pea Weevil. To this end arrangements have been made, whereby
special instruction will be given on this subject at the Experimental Union and Winter
Fair. Prof. Lochhead, of Guelph, and Dr. Fletcher, of Ottawa, will discuss the matter. I
would be pleased therefore, if you would keep yourself informed as much as possible along
this line.’ The matter came up for consideration at both of these important meetings and
was discussed with earnestness, not only by the institute workers, most of whom were in
attendance, but by several other farmers who were present. Full accounts of both
the London and Guelph conferences appeared in the Toronto Weekly Sun, the Montreal
Weekly Star and the Marmer’s Advocate. These articles were widely copied in the public
press, and a special bulletin has been prepared by Profs. Lochhead and Zavitz, which
will appear before seeding time next spring. Timely articles will be issued next season
telling pea-growers what to do, and advising them as to all details of the proposed cam-
paign against this enemy.

Among those who have taken an active part in the discussion of the best means of
remedying the existing injury to the pea crop by the weevil, the following have assisted
by giving valuable suggestions and information as to the range and extent of the depre-
dations, and by sending samples of peas, which have been fumigated at various dates to
destroy the weevils :—

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST 1717
SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16

Adamson, E., grain inspector, Toronto. Martin Bros., Mount Forest, Ont.
Allan, The J. H., Seed Co., Picton, Ont. Matthews, W. D., & Co., Toronto.
Balkwill, J. A., London, Ont. McFee, Alex. & Co., Montreal.
Bruce, J. A., & Co., Hamilton, Ont. Montreal Board of Trade.
Carruthers, Jas., & Co., Toronto. Niles, W. P., Wellington, Ont.
Coryell, The J. L., Seed Co., Oshawa, Ont. Pearce, Wm., London.

Crain & Baird, Toronto, Ont. Rennie, Wm., Toronto.
DeLaporte, A. V. & Co., Toronto. Ross, W. (M.P.), Port Perry, Ont.
Ewing, W., & Co., Montreal, Q. Simmers, J. A., Toronto.
Hamilton, A. M., & Co., London, Ont. Smith, W. L., Toronto.

Hay Bros., Listowel, Ont. Steele, Briggs Co., Toronto.
Hodson, F. W., Ottawa, Ont. Thomson, Wm., Mitchell, Ont.
Hopkins, H. T., Picton. Wilcox, H. H., Oshawa.

Lick, Elmer, Oshawa. Wright, A. A., (M.P.), Renfrew, Ont.

My thanks are particularly due to Mr. R. F. Stupart of Toronto, for a liberal
supply of skeleton maps of the province of Ontario, which were of great use in collecting
data as to the injurious presence of the Pea Weevil in the province ; also to Prof. C. C.
James, Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Ontario, for much valuable advice and assis-
tance.

Lhe extent of the injury.—Judging from the loss during the past ten years, and the
present state of affairs, the loss attributable to the work of the Pea Weevil cannot fall
far short of $1,000,000 a year.

The necessity of immediate action.—Every correspondent speaks emphatically of the
necessity of some steps being taken at once to preserve this remunerative industry. All
agree that the injury is very great and that fresh districts are becoming infested
every year. Messrs. Jas. Carruthers & Co., extensive operators of Toronto, Montreal
and Winnipeg, write: ‘We estimate the injury to the crop of 1902, as compared with
the previous years, is 50 per cent more, both as to the quantity raised and the value.
Districts that the bug did not appear in three years ago, are gradually getting bad, and,
if it continues, we don’t think there will be a county in the province that will not be
affected. We are very much pleased to learn that steps are being taken to try and
eradicate this pest.’

Nearly every one heard from writes in the same strain. The value of Canadian
peas and the danger of losing the trade are indicated by the following :

‘Toronto, Oct. 25.—Canada formerly had the reputation in European markets of
producing the best peas in the world, but we find now, since the crop has become so
hadly affected by the weevil, that they will only buy the very choicest samples we can
ship. One of our largest buyers writes us that they are getting large shipments from
Calcutta, and the quality is very fine, being free from bugs, and better than any we are
shipping from Canada. They also say they are buying them at a price equal to three
cents per bushel less than we are asking for our No. 2 grade on the present crop ’.—
Jas. CARRUTHERS & Co.

‘Toronto, October 25.—-The difficulties arising from handling weevil-eaten peas have
become so great, that this season we are having some peas grown in Germany, a sample
of which has just come to hand; and, while they have had a wet season, which has
more or less injured the colour, yet they are entirely free from the weevil. It is more
expensive to obtain peas from such sources than when grown at home ; nevertheless, we
must have the best samples obtainable, even if at a higher cost. Our experience in
this matter will tend to encourage larger orders with our foreign growers, although we
would prefer growing them at home if we could be satisfied that the existing trouble
would not continue. —THE SreeLe Brices SEED Co.

‘Picton, October 25.—The question of controlling the Pea Weevil is of the greatest
importance to farmers throughout Ontario, and deserves careful thought and united
16—12

178 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS
: 2-3 EDWARD VII. A. 1903

intelligent action. Aside from the importance of the pea crop as a commercial con-
modity for export, both as fancy or garden varieties, and for food purposes, it is one of the
most valuable crops the farmer can raise for feeding on the farm, particularly in finish-
ing and fattening his pigs, as no other grain will equally accomplish this purpose, and —
pork and bacon are among the most valuable products of the farm.’—J. H. Auian & Co.

‘Toronto, October 25.—The trade in peas has been most profitable to farmers, and
before this pest became serious, Canada enjoyed the reputation of growing the best peas
available for the European demand, largely for human food. It is, therefore, highly
important that some concerted action should be taken at once and information given
through your department, looking to the interests of the trade by stamping it out
effectually, if possible. The bug appears to have spread insidiously year by year and now
‘extends into almost every district in the province’.—W. D. Marruews & Co.

‘Toronto, October 27.—Our reports show that the Pea Weevil is gradually extend-
ing northward. A few years ago none were to be found in the neighborhood of Stayner,
but last year a few were discovered, and this year they have increased. The writer this
year found them in peas around Thornbury, and everything points to the fact that they
‘are spreading over the province. Unless something is done, our whole pea crop will be
destroyed. This has been one of the most profitable crops to the farmers in the past
when our peas were sound ; but heavy losses have been made by exporters on peas which
looked comparatively free from bugs when shipped, but on their arrival at the other side
of the ocean the bugs had emerged and almost swarmed in the bags when these were
opened.’—A. V. DeLaporte & Co.

‘Picton, October 21.—As far as we know, the seedsmen in the United States bug
their peas, but the farmers do not. I do not think there are enough peas imported from
the States to make much difference in this question. As to districts free from weevil,
we grew peas in Simcoe county last year, and there were no bugs, and there are very
few from Peterborough north. —CLEVELAND SEED Co.

That some districts are, so far, free of the weevil, the following evidence shows :—
b) ? fo)

‘Renfrew, October 22.—Our soil and climate are peculiarly well adapted to grow-
ing the ordinary white field peas, and our farmers are still growing them in large
quantities. They could and formerly did grow the large garden peas but gave them up
as they were too troublesome to harvest. This year we had magnificent crops of white
field peas, and, as prices are high, it was undoubtedly the best paying crop farmers grew.
It certainly appears that from some cause, whether it be from our very severe weather,
or from some other cause, the Pea Weevil cannot live in our section. Our farmers have
always made the small white pea a staple crop, and it is now growing largely in
favour. ’—A. A. WriGcHT.

‘Toronto, October 25.—We find that our Montreal office has this season bought
40,000 bushels of peas in the counties of Renfrew and Lanark, which they worked for
export via Montreal, and they advise us that the quality is very good, being practically
free from bugs. ’—J ames Carrutuers & Co.

‘Wellington, October 20.—Parts of the counties of Peterborough and Simcoe are
free of the weevil. In Hastings county it does not extend north of Madoc.’—W. P.
Nites.

Prof. Lochhead tells me that there is no sign of the Pea Weevil in the Manitoulin
Islands, and the Algoma District. The same is almost certainly true of Nipissing, Parry
Sound and Muskoka districts. The soil and conditions on Manitoulin Island are well
suited for the cultivation of peas, and doubtless large areas will be found equally so in
the other districts mentioned, as the country becomes settled up more thoroughly.

The three chief Enemies of the Pea.—There are three distinct insects which have
caused excessive losses in the pea crop of recent years and there is still some mis-
understanding among farmers and seedsmen as to what exact insect is intended by
the name ‘Pea Weevil,’ and some again have protested that the name ‘Pea Bug’

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST 179
SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 |

is preferable because better known in the trade for what students of insects call
the Pea Weevil; a few have even insisted that the Pea Weevil is what is really
the Pea Moth. The name Pea Weevil, as applied by entomologists, is undoubtedly
the correct name for the short roundish hard beetle which is found among seed peas
from which it has emerged, leaving a perfectly round hole in the hollowed out
pea where it passed its preparatory stages. This insect is shown enlarged and
of the natural size at figure 2. The name Pea Weevil is claimed by entomologists
to be correct for this insect, because it belongs to a family of beetles the technical
name of which is weevils, and, moreover, it has always been known for nearly a
hundred years by this name. There is, however, no particular objection to the use of
the trade name Pea Bug, notwithstanding its inaccuracy (the insect not being a bug,
nor in any way resembling one), because there is no true bug which is a serious enemy
of the pea, and therefore-no confusion arises from speaking of the Pea Weevil as the
‘Pea Bug.’ The Pea Moth, shown at figure 3 in the perfect form, which, however, is
very seldom seen, is a small slaty-gray moth,
three-eighths of an inch in length, resembling
somewhat in markings but not in colour the
Codling Moth. ‘This insect is generally seen
by pea growers when in the caterpillar state
(figure 3: 1 and 2), when it is usually called
‘the worm,’ and frequently does a large
s amount of injury to the pea crop of Canada,
chiefly, however, in districts lying east of
the area infested by the Pea Weevil and in-
a creasing in severity as the Atlantic sea-board
Fig. 3.—The Pea Moth: caterpillar and moth— ig reached. The small white caterpillars
RS a live inside the green pods, attacking the
peas by gnawing ragged-edged cavities into them and filling up the pod around their
cavities with a mass of excrement. As this insect is less known to pea growers and
seed merchants than the Pea Weevil, and as the name Pea Weevil is also somewhat com-
paratively new to them, it having only been brought prominently forward during the
last twenty years, during which efforts have been made to counteract insect attacks, I
think it probable that the confusion which has arisen in the minds of some who have
not studied insects, and who have applied the name Pea Weevil to the Pea Moth, has
been due to their having applied the unfamiliar name Pea Weevil to the unfamiliar
insect which they knew was not their ‘ Pea Bug,’ with which they were well acquainted.
The third insect which has drawn attention by the extent of its injuries and which
like both of the above is frequently spoken of as ‘ the bug,’ is the Destructive Pea Aphis,
which is a soft-bodied plant-louse about } of an inch in length and expanding about 3
of an inch when the wings are opened. This is
pale bluish green in colour with the legs dark-
ened at the joints and with very long honey
tubes at the end of the abdomen. The Destruc-
tive Pea Aphis appeared suddenly for the first
time in the summer of 1899, and practically
ruined the pea crop over large areas in the
United States and Canada. Since that time it
has become less in numbers and during the past
season was only reported in a few places upon
late peas and upon sweet peas in gardens. Per-
Fig. 4.—The Destructive Pea Aphis: winged haps the worst attack was upon Grass Peas
viviparous female—enlarged 6 times. which were much belated this season and upon
Hairy Vetch and field peas which had been sown for ploughing down as green manure.
To recapitulate, the Pea Weevil or ‘Pea Bug’ (Fig. 2) is a small beetle, the grub
of which lives inside the pea until fully developed, and the beetle emerges in autumn or
the following spring through a perfectly round hole.
16—124

180 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS
2-3 EDWARD VIl., A. 1903

The Pea Moth (Fig. 3) is a small gray moth, the caterpillar of which lives until full
grown inside the pod, gnawing into the green peas. It then eats its way out of the pod
and passes the winter in the ground inside a silken cocoon from which the moth appears
the following summer. For this insect, treating the seed is useless.

The Destructive Pea Aphis (Fig. 4) is a soft bodied plant-louse or ‘ green fly,’ whic
clusters in large numbers on the young shoots and stems, sucking the sap and enfeebling
the vines so that they die before maturity.

Difficulties.—-It must be acknowledged that, almost without a dissentient voice, my
correspondents claim that the only way to bring about the extermination of the Pea
Weevil, is to give up the cultivation of peas in Ontario for two or three years, and that
this action should be enforced by legislation. Notwithstanding this, after considering
the question in all its bearings, I cannot agree that this course would be calculated at
this stage of the campaign to produce the surest results. ‘The cessation of pea growing,
to be effective, would have to be absolute, not only in every part of Ontario but also in
all the United States where peas are grown for seed ; and this, not merely by large pea-
growers and farmers, but by every private individual who wished to grow peas for his
table or for the market. At the present time, while peas are an unremunerative crop
in the worst affected districts, this is not the case over large areas in northern Ontario,
and, while it might be possible to induce large growers in the south-western counties of
the province where pea-growing is now unremunerative, not to sow peas, it would be
very difficult to persuade growers to do so north of the line mentioned above as running
from Kincardine through the province to Brockville ; and the difficulties in the way of
persuading private gardeners from doing so seem insuperable ; yet, for this measure to
be of use so as to starve out the Pea Weevil, not a single patch of peas should be sown,
in w::ich the insect could propagate. Theoretically, this, at first sight, seems to be a
perfect remedy, and I doubt not would prove to be so, were it in any way possible to
enforce it. The chief difficulties are that every one would have to give up growing peas
absolutely, not only in Canada but in the adjoining States, There is no set line which
could be accurately defined as the limit of the area where the insect would breed, even
if partial legislation were contemplated. Private gardeners are not yet well enough
informed nor sufficiently interested for all to make the necessary sacrifice of giving up
such a favourite vegetable as green peas, nor are all the gardeners in any district
energetic enough or provident enough to pull up and destroy all their pea vines as soon
as the crop fit for the table is gathered. That this is the proper course, is undoubted,
and the land, where peas have been grown, may in most parts of Ontario be cleared of
pea vines by the end of July and planted to late carrots, beets or cabbage. From
special observation for several years, I have seen that a far more usual practice in
gardens, is to leave the pea vines standing long after the crop is gathered and until
many of the pods are perfectly ripe, which, in the Pea Weevil districts, means until the
weevils are fully developed.

Legislation upon all matters affecting a large proportion of the community is only
a last resort, and as a remedial measure. Legislation on agricultural matters, moreover,
has always been unpopular, and, unless it can be enforced, is worse than useless. The
legislation affecting noxious weeds can hardly be considered successful even in many
parts of law-abiding Canada.

That a vigorous campaign against the Pea Weevil is now necessary, is abundantly
evident to all who know the value of the pea crep, and wish to preserve the reputation
of Canadian peas and the export trade of this valuable commodity ; but it seems to me
that what is now most necessary and fitting, as looking to ultimate victory against this
foe, is a campagin of education. The ordinary pea-growers, or even the large grain
merchants, do not know sufficiently the nature of their enemy, its natural history and
distribution. There is even confusion as to which of the several insects which attack
the pea, actually is the Pea Weevil. All this uncertainty should first of all be done
away with through the ready means at our disposal. The federal and provincial gov-
ernments have published reports and bulletins, and intend to publish more: the
agricultural and public press of the country are always willing and eager to publish

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST 181
SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16

articles cr answer inquiries concerning matters of public interest. There are effective,
sure remedies for the destruction of the Pea Weevil, and if growers can be made to
understand this and see that by adopting them, even at some small trouble, they will
greatly benefit themselves, while by neglecting them they will injure themselves and
their neighbours, I have confidence enough in the common sense of Canadian and
American farmer's, to believe that they will adopt them.

These remedies will be explained and brought prominently before all who attend
Farmers’ Institute meetings in Ontario during the coming winter, and object lessons will
be given during next summer in the pea-growing districts, but even these efforts will
only reach a comparatively small number of those who are concerned, and every effort
must be made to bring the importance of the matter before the country. The Boards
of Trade in Toronto and Montreal have had it under serious discussion. The press of
the country have done much and can and will do much more. In my official capacity I
shall do my utmost towards what I believe is possible, the extermination of the Pea
Weevil in Canada, and, if United States workers will co-operate with Canadians, success
is assared.

Under the head of remedies I shall mention what have proved to be the best means
of destroying the Pea Weevil, and at the same time shall endeavour to anticipate the
difficulties which may be expected to arise in the adoption of each.

REMEDIES.

Cessation of growing.—The Pea Weevil has no other known food plant than the
cultivated pea; therefore, as this plant will not stand our winters, there is never a
volunteer crop a second year, so, if no peas are sown, the pest must die out. The
difivulty in this case is the impossibility of getting everyone where seed peas are grown
liable to infestation, to give up their cultivation. In the present season seed merchants
have already laid in their supplies of seed peas for next year’s sowing, and there would
ke great loss to them, were these high-priced peas ground for feed.

Fumigation.—Fumigation with bi-sulphide of carbon is a sure remedy. When
properly done, either in specially constructed buildings known as ‘ bug-houses,’ or in any
tight bin, every Weevil is surely killed if the seed containing them is subjected for 48
hours to the vapour of bi-sulphide of carbon used in the proportion of 1 pound by weight
of the chemical to every 100 bushels of seed, or in smaller quantities, 1 ounce of bi-
sulphide to every 100 pounds of seed. The discrepancy in the quantities given above is
due to the fact, that where large quantities are treated at once in specially prepared
houses there is less waste of the vapour during the necessary exposure of 48 hours. The
quantity given above of 1 pound to every 100 bushels is that which is regularly used by
the large seed houses, some of which fumigate from 1,000 to 3,000 bushels at a time.
The bi-sulphide of carbon should be of the best quality which will vaporise without any
residue, and the exposure should be for the full 48 hours advised. This treatment should
be done as soon as possible after harvesting, but may be done at any time when the
temperature is above freezing. It is important that the bisulphide, which vaporizes
readily at the temperature mentioned, but more quickly the warmer it is, should do so
as soon as possible, so that the heavy and deadly vapour, which is much heavier than
air, should sink down among the peas, where it will in 48 hours kill every weevil in
the grain. To facilitate the evaporation it is usual to place the bi-sulphide in large
shallow dishes at the top of the building or bin. As the vapour is very inflammable,
this work must be done at a distance from other buildings, so that there may be neither
accidents nor trouble with insurance companies. No lights of any kind, and no smoking
must be allowed near the buildings where bi-sulphide of carbon is being used. This
liquid is not more dangerous than naphtha or benzine, but the danger of these is better
known.

For the treatment of small quantities of seed, particularly by farmers, I have found
that an ordinary coal oil barrel is very convenient. This will hold about 5 bushels or
300 pounds of seed, which may be treated with 3 ounces of bi-sulphide of carbon. Care

182 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS

2-3 EDWARD VII., A. 1903

must be taken to close up the top tightly. This is best done with a cap made specially
for the purpose, but may also be done with fine sacks laid smoothly on the top, over
which boards are laid, with a considerable weight on them to hold the covering down
closel

Pariigedion with bi-sulphide of carbon, I believe, is the remedy most to be relied on
in this campaign. It is perfectly effective, is now regularly used by the large seed
merchants, and in future will be much more regularly used. The liquid is cheap, in large
quantities costing about 15 cents a.pound, although small quantities are charged for at
a higher rate, owing to its inflammable nature and nauseous odour, which make it an
undesirable stock for druggists to keep on hand. The treatment is easy so that no
mistakes need be made, and, with ordinary care, accidents are not likely to occur. As
a matter of fact, I have never heard of an accident from the use of this chemical.

Bins for fumigating with bi-sulphide of carbon should be rendered as nearly air
tight as possible. This may be done in the case of an ordinary bin by pasting sheets of
paper over the inside, and, in case these should be liable to be torn, over the outside as
well. Where the lid fits down it should be padded with felt.

Holding over Seed.—Where only a few seed peas are used, a most reliable remedy
is the holding over of seed until the second year. Peas should always be bagged up
and the sacks tied at once after threshing. The weevils are not able to eat their way
through the bags, even when these are made of paper. All the weevils which emerge
either in autumn or the following summer will perish inside the bags, and the seed can
be sown the following year without danger. The very rare instances which I have
heard of, but which I have never seen, where weevils remain alive in the peas and
emerge during the second summer after the peas ripened, must be of such rare and
exceptional occurrence that they need not be considered. However, to make assurance
doubly sure, the seed grain may be kept in a warm room or house during the first
winter when there is hardly a possibility of the beetles not emerging.

Treating with Coal Oul.—A remedy which has been used by many farmers with
satisfaction, is to drench the seed with coal oil using about half a gallon to a barrel or
five bushels of peas. Half of this quantity however can be used successfully as I have
been informed by Mr. W. M. Real of Greenbank, Ont., who writes as follows: For
several years I used coal oil on part of my seed with good results. An ordinary bin or
a large box will do for, say 50 bushels or less ; for every 20 bushels pour over them one
gallon of coal oil, spreading it so that it does not run to waste. This should be done
about two weeks before sowing. Immediately after putting on the oil, the peas should
be shovelled over and over so that all will be oiled, and the shovelling must be repeated
every day for four or five days. This, if properly done, will kill all the bugs in the
peas without injuring the seed. This plan, however, is no good when you compare it
with the fumigation mentioned on p. 210 in the report you sent me which is so much
easier done. ‘The remaining part of my seed has been fumigated, only I do not use
barrels because we have two bug-houses near here, and we can kill all the bugs in 400
bushels at once without emptying them out of the bags. This too is far safer than using
bi-sulphide around farm buildings.’

Mr. Wm. Ross, M.P., of Port Perry, who has taken much interest in this matter
of controlling the Pea Weevil tells me that he knows of many in his district who use the ©
above coal oil method with great success. °

In my own experiments I found that peas treated with coal oil, if not planted
soon afterwards, were slow in germinating. This, however, only points out the advant-
age of oiling peas just before sowing, and this method has a special use as an emergency
remedy when, as is frequently the case seed peas are found after purchase to contain
living weevils.

Scalding Seed.—Of the same nature, when peas are found at the time of sowing
to contain weevils, is scalding the seed. This may be done by pouring them into
scalding water and then either pouring the water straight off them again or cooling off
immediately with cold water.

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST 183
-SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16

RECOMMENDATIONS.

Loss by sowing Weevilied Peas.—That seed peas which have been bored by
weevils are very seriously injured, I have proved by actual experiments during the past
season and previously. Weevilled small peas in the past season, which was very
advantageous for growth, gave only from 13 to 20 per cent of plants, which bore pods,
and these were all weaker than plants from perfect seed. Large peas gave a better
percentage of from 16 to 28 per cent. Therefore, weevilled peas should not be used
for seed if any other stock is obtainable. If, however, this is impossible, much more
seed should be sown to the acre.

Suggestions.—The present time must be considered as a crisis in the Canadian pea
market, but I feel sure that much may be done to relieve the situation. This must be
done, I think, not by legislation or by giving up the cultivation of such an important
crop as peas, which we cannot well do without, but by persuading everyone who sows
peas to abstain from sowing any peas which contain living weevils; when purchasing
seed, to refuse determinedly to buy any without an assurance that they have been treated,
and further, even with this, to examine for themselves to see that any contained weevils
are really dead. I would also point out that, from the experiment already cited of
growing peas from weevilled seed, such seed is only worth about one quarter as
much as sound seed. To secure a supply of seed peas free from weevil injury, it will
be necessary for growers and farmers to handle their crop a little differently than has
been the usual practice. The injury is of an exceptional nature, and exceptional
measures must be taken to avoid loss.

There are, however, special features about this attack which render its contro!
a simpler matter than is usually the case with injuries of an equal magnitude. The Pea
Weevil is not a native insect and has no native food plant, in which it could propagate,
were there no cultivated peas. Indeed, it is so restricted in its food habits that no
other food plant is known than the different cultivated varieties of true peas, belonging
to the botanical genus Piswm. These peas will not live over the winter in our climate
if left in the open field, at any rate, in any part of the country where the Pea Weevil is
known to breed, consequently, every seed pea sown for crop must, at some time before
it was sown, have been under the control of some one by whom it could have been
treated before sowing, to destroy the contained weevil, if it had one. The remedy is
effective, easy and cheap, is well known and can be applied by anyone. If all growers
would combine and do this, the larger number of the weevils would be destroyed in a
single year. This, however, would not be sufficient, because a certain number of the
insects sometimes leave the peas during the autumn when the seed ripens, and this
sometimes before the peas are carried from the fields. This fact is the one great diffi-
culty in arriving at a perfect remedy, but I do not. believe that it is insurmountable.
There is every indication that a much smaller percentage of weevils left the seed in the
autumn of 1902 than is frequently the case. The suggestions I have to offer are briefly
as follows :

(1.)—That all peas for seed should be treated before they are sown to kill the .
weevil and that seeding should be done as early as possible, so as to get them ripe
enough to harvest earlier than is the usual custom.

(2.)—That pea growers should harvest their peas as much on the green side as
is safe, rather than as is usually done now, when they are dead ripe, and thresh and treat
them themselves or sell at once to grain buyers. This has many advantages. Not only
is the straw of very much higher quality for feed, but the seed is heavier and better for
every purpose, for export, for feed and also for seed, because it is of higher germinating
power, and further, because the weevil at that time is much less advanced in growth
and consequently has destroyed a much smaller proportion of the bulk of the seed. The
average dates for pea harvesting are from July 20 to August 20 I have no record of
the Pea Weevil becoming mature and leaving the seed before August 15, and it is usually

184 ; EXPERIMENTAL FARMS
2-3 EDWARD VII., A. 1993

much later than that date. Experiment has shown that the weevil at all stages may
be killed inside the peas by fumigating the seed with bisulphide of carbon, consequently,
if growers will harvest and thresh earlier than usual for a few years and either themselves
treat their seed immediately or sell to the grain buyers, who for their own sakes will do so,
much good must surely result. When for any reason peas cannot be treated at once or
disposed of, they should be bagged up and the sacks tied immediately so as to prevent
the escape of any weevils which might emerge in the autumn. When the grain is
required for feeding the peas should be ground as soon as they are dry enough, and to
prevent the meal from becoming musty the new peas should be mixed with some old
peas when grinding.

Difficulties to be met.—Sometimes peas ripen so unevenly that by reaping early it is
feared that the sample will be very uneven when threshed ; but, should this be the case,
it simply means that these small and shrivelled peas are blown out of the seed peas when
they are cleaned and are not lost but can be used for feed. The greatest difficulty of all
is with regard to the peas which are shelled out in the field at the time of harvesting.
This however, will be to a large measure obviated by reaping early, as the seed will not
shell out nearly so much as when left till the regular time. The cleaning up of pea
fields moreover by turning in hogs is a generally recognized practice, and the work is
done very thoroughly. Where hogs are not available, poultry will do the same work,
and, where neither of these can be used, the land should be ploughed so deeply that the
weevils cannot work their way out when they leave the peas. I am aware that it is
not the custom to plough up pea fields for fall wheat , but simply to cultivate or disc
them, because the land is left in such excellent condition ; but it must be remembered
that the loss from the Pea Weevil is now excessive, and, if this small change in method
can be shown to be of great advantage, it surely is worth a trial.

Another difficulty suggested is that it would be hard to get all peas threshed before
the autumn emerging weevils escaped, on account of the small number of threshing
machines which would be available. In reply to this, experience has shown that demand
will always produce supply; and I feel sure that the implement makers will not lose
such an opportunity of pushing their business. The much higher price obtainable for
the early threshed peas, to say nothing of the enormous value of future crops due to
controlling the weevil, will very soon repay to the farmer the initial expense. Where,
however, there is no possibility of getting a threshing machine, I would draw the atten-
tion of growers to the old-fashioned method of treading out the peas with horses. That
this is advantageous is indicated by the fact that some of the seed merchants pay a
higher price for peas threshed with horses.

Mr. W. P. Niles, of Wellington, to whom I am particularly indebted for much
useful information connected with this matter, writes me particularly with regard to
one subject which is much discussed by the Pea Trade, viz., ‘oily peas.’ Mr. Niles
writes: ‘My sample No. 4 contains what we designate as “oily” or “glassy peas.”
Every one, you will notice, has had a weevil in it, and not one of these peas will germinate.
Some seedsmen say this is caused by the heat of the sun in dry weather. killing the
weevil while in the embryo state, thereby making the pea oily. I contend that this is
not the case, being perfectly satisfied that it is done by threshing with an ordinary
threshing machine. At that time the weevils are not fully developed and are simply
a small ball of fatty matter. The sudden shock in going through the cylinder of the
machine kills or bursts this embryo weevil and the fat or oil is absorbed by the pea
at once. In order to fully satisfy myself on this point, I have frequently had farmers
thresh a part of their peas, the same variety on the same day, with a threshing machine,
and a part with horses on the barn floor, and I have invariably found that the machine
threshed peas would have a large percentage of oily peas, while the horse threshed
ones would not haveany. I have tried this repeatedly for the past three years, and have
always got the same results.’ ”

With regard to the above, I may say that some seed merchants do not agree with
this theory ; but I received from Mr. Niles a large number of oily peas. These I soak-
ed for two or three days and opened them carefully, when I found that the weevils were

incl

|

7°,

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST 185

SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16

nearly aj] in the pupal condition, and that in every case these had been broken in some
way; and the oiliness was apparently due to the fat of the body running between the
two halves of the pea and saturating the skin. If it be found by others that peas can
be threshed with horses conveniently and that they get peas which are worth five cents
a bushel more, which is the price offered by Mr. Niles in his last circular to growers,
this may be an inducement to thresh at once and not wait for the threshing machine.

Substitute Crops.—In those localities where the cultivation of peas has been aban-
doned, there is a constant demand for advice as to the best similar crop to grow as a
substitute. Of the leguminous or nitrogen-collecting plants, perhaps the most popular
is the pea-like plant known by the name of the Grass Pea, or Chickling Vetch
(Lathyrus sativus, L.). This has been largely grown and has given considerable satis-
faction in certain sections. It is not favoured by the grain merchants, because there is
no demand for it for export; but, when grown for feed, it has given such satisfaction
that in some counties of western Ontario it is used for all purposes for which field peas
were formerly grown. It is also claimed to give a crop of excellent seed entirely free
from the Pea Weevil, of from 10 to 30 bushels to the acre. he season of 1902 was
not at all suited to the best development of this plant, but it should not for this reason
be condemned. Messrs. John A. Bruce & Co., of Hamilton, Ont., who have handled
much of this grain, inform me that ‘the Grass Pea has been grown to a limited extent
in Wentworth, Lincoln and Haldimand for half a century or more, and the acreage has
been largely increased the past three seasons, from its having been grown as a substitute
for the field pea. This increased interest is due to the fact of its being bug-proof. The
crop in this vicinity is a comparative failure this season. There was an abundance of
vine but few peas.’ This was a pretty general report from all sections, and, as stated
above, the field crops in some places were attacked late in the season by the Destructive
Pea Aphis. Other leguminous crops which may be grown instead of peas are tares or
vetches, and various kinds of clover. Early varieties of Soja Bean have also given
good results, and Mr. Zavitz, of the Ontario Agricultural College, strongly recommends
farmers to grow the grain which formerly was grown in Canada under the name of
Speltz, but which is now designated by its proper name of Emmer.

LOCUSTS.

Locusts or grasshoppers appeared again in Manitoba in the same districts as during
the past two years, but, owing to the season, except in certain districts as around Sewell,
the injury was not excessive. They appeared early in May, and Mr. H. McKellar, who
is well informed on the subject, at once published
articles in all the Winnipeg newspapers, advising
farmers in infested localities what to do to counteract
their attacks. Later in the year the crop of the pro-
vince was so enormous that little was heard of their

depredations, atthe sametime, where careful observations
Kig. 5.—The Common or Red- were made, it was abundantly evident that Manitoban
ea far ill require to be on the alert and be prepared

armers will require to be on the alert and be prepare
in ordinary years to follow the example of those farmers who have saved their crops in
the worst districts by practising the methods which have been advised. Mr. Norman
Criddle, of Aweme, has continued his experiments in the use of poisoned mixtures. His
experience during the past season in improving these is of so much importance to
farmers who may have their crops attacked by locusts, that I reproduce in full a valu-
able report which he has sent me. This is equally applicable in Manitoba and in the
other provinces. Considerable injury was done by grasshoppers in some sections of
Ontario in 1902, and I would earnestly urge Ontario farmers to try the Criddle mixture

described below, should these insects again appear next year. I have seen on several

occasions the beneficial effects of this treatment and commend it most heartily. It
should be applied promptly on the first appearance of grasshoppers in undue numbers.

186 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS

2-3 EDWARD VII, A. 1993

The injury to clover crops in autumn by these voracious insects is often far more
serious than is generally appreciated. Grasshoppers are susceptible of being driven in
large numbers to the edge of a crop by drawing a rope across the top of it, the two ends
being held by two persons walking across the field. The poisoned mixture can then be
scattered on the bare ground at the edge of the crop to which they are driven. They
will eat this ravenously and vast numbers will be killed.

MR. CRIDDLE'S REPORT.
Aweme, Man., November 9, 1902.

According to your request, I have prepared the following notes on the locust pest
for this year, at Aweme and the surrounding places.

Locusts, on the whole, were decidedly more numerous than last year, especially in
places where they had not been poisoned the previous season ; but, owing to cold wet
weather in the latter part of April and the beginning of May, the first did not make
their appearance until May 7, and the bulk until the 26th, nor did they begin to do
damage until the end of the month. A succession of rains during June greatly retarded
their growth and saved a considerable amount of work in fighting them, as they do
very little eating during wet weather.

On June 20, the first were noted with wings. By July 7, half could fly; by the
11th most of them had wings, and they began migrating. The migratory season con-
tinued until the 30th, at which date the first eggs were being deposited. On August 12,
eggs were deposited for the second time. After this date eggs were being continually
laid until all the locusts died. They began to die off the latter part of August and had
practically all disappeared by September 20, a few remaining until the middle of October.

In this season, as in 1900, locusts hatched out on the prairie in considerable numb-
ers wherever the ground was at all light or sandy. In fact, along the tract of country
lying between this place, Sewell, Carberry, and almost to Stockton, they were nearly as
plentiful as on the stubble fields ; but all those said to have hatched on the prairie of
the so-called heavy land, had in reality come from old gopher hills and other bare spots.
Unlike other years a large number hatched on heavy clay land, even after they had been
under water for some days.

The chief damage done, was during the migratory period, by the locusts eating the
heads of grain, principally, however, owing to an erroneous notion among certain farmers
that it is useless to fight them after they can fly, and also because of a shortage of Paris
green at that time. With us very little damage was done (possibly a few bushels lost
during July).

The locusts responsible for damage at Chater, Douglas, Blyth, Aweme, Treesbank,
Stockton, and almost to Wawanesa, consisted mostly of the Lesser Migratory Locust
(Melanoplus atlanis ) a fairly large proportion of Packard’s Locust (MM. Packardii), afew
of the Two-lined Locust (M. bivittatus) and the Rocky Mountain Locust (JZ. spretus ).
The latter were noted principally west of 'Treesbank.

The only noticeable parasites or insects preying upon locusts that increased during
the summer, were several species of ground beetles (Amara) and blister beetles. These
latter were noticeable in fairly large numbers throughout most of the districts mentioned
above ; and here they have almost entirely exterminated the eggs in patches. The only
species seen in large numbers were a small black species, Hpicauta pennsylvanica, and a
slightly grayer sort Zpicauta sericans. A small amount of damage was done by these
blister beetles to potatoes and beans ; but, as a rule, they prefer the wild peas or vetches
to any thing else. Tachina flies affecting locusts seem to have almost entirely disap-
peared during this season ; but the Locust Mites were about as numerous as usual.

With regard to the strength. of Paris green mixture, I had not much time to ex-
periment personally at home ; but experiments conducted by my brother, Evelyn Criddle,
show that undoubtedly 60 parts horse droppings can be used to one of Paris green (by
measure), and probably 75 parts. Whether it can be made yet weaker, as you surmise,

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST 187

SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16

is yet to be found out. Several people who have used it as above, report it is not strong
enough. The great difficulty is to thoroughly mix the stuff ; this is best accomplished
by mixing the Paris green in water first. Though I still recommend salt, yet I believe
with fresh droppings it may be unnecessary. The poison mixture has been found much
more effective when spread during hot sunny weather.

In conclusion, it is perhaps hardly necessary to add that the Paris green mixture
has proved an unqualified success wherever persisted in and used according to directions,
and that it is far ahead of any other remedy which has been tried here after the locusts
have once hatched. My statement in your 1900 Report that locusts eat the poisoned
mixture more eagerly when they are old than when young, has not been borne out by
recent observations: in fact, I now see that it is somewhat the other way.

NorMAN CRIDDLE.

As to the remark made by Mr. Criddle that some reported the mixture of 1 part
of Paris green in 60 of horse droppings as not being strong enough, I believe that these
observers were mistaken, and that the misapprehension arose from the fact that Paris
green is a slow acting, although a very fatal poison. I have found dead locusts which
had plainly been killed by this mixture, fully 100 yards from where the poison had been
distributed around the edge of a crop. Mr. Criddle found that a simple way to keep
locusts on the edge of a field of wheat is to sow a strip of rye around it. This grain
grows much more rapidly than wheat, and takes a lot of eating down to kill it. By
this means the insects are held where they are easily poisoned.

The plan which has been found most convenient for distributing this poisoned bait
is described in my 1901 report. The Criddle mixture, as recently modified, consists of
1 part of Paris green, mixed thoroughly in 60 of fresh horse droppings to which 2 lbs.
of salt per half barrel of mixture have been added after being dissolved in water. This
is placed in a half barrel and drawn on a cart to the edge of an infested field or one likely
to be infested. The mixture is then scattered broadcast along the edge of the crop by
means of a trowel or wooden paddle. The locusts are attracted to it from long distances
and are killed in large numbers by eating the poison.

ich aa Oe Ad
THE SAN JOSE SCALE
(Aspidiotus perniciosus, Comst.).

During the summer of 1902 a great many experiments have been tried looking to.
the discovery of a practical remedy for this most pernicious insect. The results obtained
by Mr. Geo. E. Fisher, the Provincial Government Inspector, have been most gratifying.
Mr. Fisher has supptied me with the following report :—

‘Freeman, Ont., Nov. 29.—I have much pleasure in sending you as requested a
report of what was done this year in working out remedies for the San José Scale, but
have little to add to what you have seen yourself in the orchards where these experi-
ments were carried out. This has been altogether the most satisfactory year I have
had in scale work, and I feel very much encouraged, not only by the results obtained,
which indicate that the scale may be perfectly controlled regardless of conditions in
surrounding orchards, but also by the many letters I have received from friends who
have seen the results.

:

‘In the experiments I used whale-oil soap in various forms, crude petroleum in a
variety of ways, and lime and sulphur with and without salt, and in different propor-
tions in winter. Fumigation and crude oil emulsion in winter and summer, and kerosene
emulsion in summer. Other remedies were tried but with less satisfaction.

188 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS

2-3 EDWARD VII, A. 1993

‘The whale-oil soap distributed this year was a very superior article and contained
about forty-five per cent of oil (said to be pure cod) and twelve and a-half per cent first
sorts caustic potash. The cost, delivered, was four cents per pound, and from my exper-
ience in buying soap I conclude the manufacturers will not supply a really good soap for
less money. ‘This makes a mixture suitable for treating scale, cost 10c. per pound. The
effect of this soap in reducing scale was very good for soap; but I have not found soap
so fatal to the scale as some of the other remedies. There is a serious objection to soap
on account of its killing the fruit buds if used early and before the frosts are over. The
Catawba Island people say that a cold east wind coming up off the lake on trees treated
with soap will kill most of the fruit buds. This quality, together with its excessive cost,
stands in the way of soap being extensively used. Speaking in a general way, there is no
certainty of what soap contains. A manufacturer may turn out an inferior article, and
the farmer will know nothing of its defects till the breeding season of the scale, when
swarms of larvee will tell the tale. To meet this difliculty I prepared an emulsion of
fish oil and potash, using 5 quarts of fish oil and 24 to 3 Ibs. of potash in 10 galls. of
emulsion, which is easily made and will hold, with the same quantity of soap as is used
for kerosene. Asa remedy for scale, this is fully equal to soap and costs 3 the price.

‘The question is frequently asked “Is it the potash or the oil in soap that kills the
scale?” and to settle this I made an emulsion of 5 qts. of fish oil in 10 galls. of emulsion
which worked very well. When used at three fourths strength and even at half strength,
plentifully applied, the result was really good. A solution of 3 lbs. of potash in 10 galls.
had no apparent effect in reducing the scale. Others report better results from potash,
and I will try it again next spring, but the results obtained last spring were very poor
indeed.

‘Crude petroleum was used diluted and undiluted, with and without soap, in the
form of a mechanical mixture applied with a combination pump, and also as an emulsion
prepared with soap and applied with an ordinary pump. Undiluted crude oil may be
applied to peach if a very fine nozzle be used with an orifice of, say #5 to '5 of an inch
in diameter and the least possible quantity put on a tree to cover it; but the risk is too
great for it to be recommended generally. A nozzle having an opening larger than 35
of an inch in diameter, is too coarse for applying undiluted crude oil ; and, even if it be
diluted, a fine nozzle gives the operator more time to look over his work and be sure of
what he is doing. With a coarse nozzle a heavy treatment is given before one knows
it, and sometimes part of a tree is heavily treated and other parts insufficiently. Most
people do not discriminate between a large and a small quantity nor between weak and
healthy trees, and very little crude oil will kill weak peach trees. The effect of soap
combined with crude oil, is to lessen its injurious effects on vegetation, and when used
of the strength of + lb. of soap to the gallon of water with 20 per cent of oil, it reduced
the scale well without seriously injuring peach trees. Crude oil in any of the above
mentioned forms will prevent re-attack, and I think there is a strong tendency on the
part of the scale, when oil is used, to go out on the young growth and the fruit. Mr.
James Samson, of Niagara, used erude oil last spring undiluted, with one of my fine
nozgles so successfully that he now declares in favour of undiluted crude oil for every-
thing. He sprayed some peach but did most of his spraying in his apple orchard.

‘The lime and sulphur wash was used in a variety of ways, with and without salt,
and in proportions varying from } pound of lime to 2 pounds to the gallon of wash.
We generally used half as much sulphur as lime by weight, and found about 1 pound of
lime and } pound of sulphur to the gallon of wash to work out best and have the best
results where no salt was used. Of course my limited experience with this does not
justify my speaking with confidence as to details, but I think thorough cooking is im-
perative—two, three hours, or more—and besides the trees should be sprayed until the
bark is entirely covered. A tree should first be sprayed with reasonable care ; after it
is dry, it should be gone over a second time, and any missed parts covered. In this way
a very perfect treatment is given, which is so important in the case of this scale. ‘Lime
and sulphur is safe to use on dormant trees, but, if applied very strong and very late
when the buds are opening, it may injure the soft young growth in the heart of the tree,
which, however, is really no injury. I have never noticed any bad effect elsewhere.

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST 189
SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16

Trees treated with lime and sulphur bore very heavily, much more so than trees treated
with any other remedy. It is the most effective spray and the cheapest, and with a
steam boiling plant, the most easily procured. From the best information I can get,
long boiling is important, and this enhances the value of the steam process. Where
this wash was tried by the farmers, it is highly spoken of, and will be used much more
extensively next spring. The effect on the trees is fine, and the crop of fruit has been
good in all cases where it was used. To be able to treat badly affected trees whenever
they are found in summer is greatly appreciated by those who are making an honest
effort to control the scale. .

‘Kerosene emulsion used in the proportion of 1 gallon of kerosene in 6 of emulsion
for apple, pear and plum, and 1 in 7 for peach, applied in dry hot weather, has just
about cleaned trees that were very badly affected. This really looks as though kerosene
emulsion were all that is required to control the scale. I much prefer to use kerosene
emulsion when it is perfectly fresh, that is, newly made, and to have the soap and water
actually boiling when it is thrown in on the oil to emulsify it. The lower grade of Can-
adian kerosene has served the purpose best. Use kerosene emulsion always in dry hot
weather and not at all in winter.

‘T like fumigation for trees of moderate size. The effect is complete if the work is
done in moderate weather with gas of normal strength, that is } gramme of cyanide to
the cubic foot inclosed—exposure 45 minutes ; but this strength does not appear to be
sufficient during low temperatures. One-tenth of a gramme with an exposure of 30
minutes, and one-seventh of a gramme with an exposure of 20 minutes apparently did
perfect work in July in the day time without injuring peach foliage. The experiments
in fumigation were not carried to any great length, and, although they were carefully
watched duplicates might show differently. They are very satisfactory, however, to me.’
—GrorcE E. FIsHer.

I have given the above report in full because I know of no one in America who has
done more experimenting with the San José Scale than Mr. Fisher. I have had the
privilege of inspecting his work frequently during the last three years, and have perfect
confidence in his extreme care and great perseverance in solving any difficulties which
may arise, either in his own active mind, or in the minds of any of the fruit growers in
whose orchards he has worked. Mr. Fisher is a practical and successful fruit grower,
a good mechanic and altogether one well suited to carry out the complicated and very
varied experiments which he has done for the Ontario Government since his appointment.
The results obtained are very satisfactory and may be summarized as follows :—

The San José Scale is an insect capable of more injury to orchards than any other
we know of. It is extremely difficult to control with the greatest care, but with the
necessary care trees may be kept in a thrifty and bearing condition without undue
expense. This may be done with the following remedies :—

1. The ordinary kerosene emulsion, two treatments during the summer—an extra
one may advantageously be applied in May just before the foliage is so thick that it is
difficult to reach all parts of the tree—the first summer spraying in the middle of June,
and the second one after the fruit is picked. Mr. Fisher says: ‘ Emulsions should
always be used in clear weather, particularly kerosene emulsion, which gives much the
best results when applied on warm, bright, airy days. A rather coarse nozzle is best for
spraying trees in leat, for the heavy spray from it splashes off the foliage and penetrates
to the wood. The emulsions will probably not do more than afford temporary relief,
but they will reduce the infestation well below the danger point and carry the trees
safely into winter. This must be followed in the winter or spring by a thorough general
spraying with lime and sulphur, which may be expected to work an almost perfect cure.
In our experiments the results from this latter mixture after standing all the summer,
are almost complete. Some trees on which it is difficult to find living scales, were before
treatment heavily infested.’

2. Whale-oil Soap.—The potash fish oil soaps sold under the name of Whale-oil
Soap are excellent insecticides and, when used of the strength of 24 lbs, of soap to
the Imperial gallon, have done very efficient work in clearing trees of the San

130 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS

2-3 EDWARD VIL, A. 1903

José Seale, without the slightest injury to the trees. These soaps are much more ex-
pensive than the kerosene emulsion, and very much less troublesome to dissolve and apply
than the lime and sulphur washes. For this reason they may be preferable for those
fruit-growers who have a small number of fruit trees. They are useful against many
other insects than the San José Scale, particularly the various kinds of other scale insects,
the Pear Psylla, and some other insects which pass the winter beneath the flakes of the
bark of fruit trees. The best time to spray trees is just before the buds burst in spring.
The soap should be dissolved in hot water and applied as hot as is conveniently possible.

3. Fumigation.—A very effective remedy for small trees, but one requiring the use
of very poisonous chemicals and somewhat expensive apparatus, is fumigation with
hydrocyanic acid gas ; hence, in view of the success which has been secured by the careful
use of kerosene emulsion, I do not.consider this a practical remedy for orchard use.

In addition to the above described work which has been done by the Provincial
Government of Ontario towards finding a perfect remedy for the San José Scale, the
greatest care has been taken by the Provincial Department of Agriculture that no
nursery stock of any kind should be sent out by nurserymen which had not been
thoroughly fumigated under government inspection. The Federal fumigation stations
located at St. John, N.B., St. John’s, Que., Niagara Falls and Windsor, Ont., Winnipeg,
Man., and Vancouver, B.C., through which ports, only, nursery stock is allowed to be
imported into Canada, have been in active service, and a great deal of nursery stock has
been brought into the country. © have again this year the greatest satisfaction in
reporting that there has been no complaint from importers as to the slight delay which
must occur, nor as to any injury to trees during the necessary unpacking and handling
for treatment. The superintendents at all the stations have done their work carefully
and intelligently, and no single instance has been brought to my notice of living scales
being detected on trees after passing through the fumigating houses, or of injury to them
by the gas.

TWO NEW STRAWBERRY PESTS.

During the past summer complaints were received from British Columbia of the
presence in injurious numbers of two different kinds of caterpillars, which have not, I
believe, been previously reported as doing harm to cultivated strawberries in Canada.
Specimens of the larve: of both species were received from Mrs. C. E. Hickey, of French
Creek, B.C. Writing under date of May 3, Mrs. Hickey, says: ‘I send you separ-
ately some caterpillars. They have been doing considerable damage to our strawberry
plants. Will there be another generation of them, and, if so, what should the plants be
sprayed with?’ The specimens mentioned arrived in Ottawa on May 12 ; seven of them
had changed to the chrysalis state during the journey, but the others were still in the larval
condition. These also soon changed to chrysalis, and the moths emerged in due course,
and proved to be Mesoleuca truncata, Hufn., *a species not at all uncommon in British
Columbia, and almost all other parts of northern Canada. The caterpillar of this geo-
meter is a looper and when full grown measures about an inch in length. It is slender,
cylindrical, in colour yellowish-green slightly glaucous, and has pale indistinct longitu-
dinal stripes along the bedy, viz., a double dorsal band of more intense yellow than the
body, a subdorsal band of the same colour, but clear white on the anterior segments, and
a distinct yellowish ventral stripe. The tubercles on the body are white, and each bears
a single short slender bristle. The head and feet are concolorous with the body. Be-
neath the anal fiap on segment 13 is a pair of prominent slender tails, tinged with pink,
each bearing a slender bristle at the tip. When mature the caterpillar changes to a
chrysalis within the folds of a leaf or between two leaves, which have been drawn to-
gether by threads of silk. The larve which reached Ottawa alive, were putin a jar
containing earth and some dried strawberry leaves. They did not enter the earth for
pupation but changed to the chrysalis state as above. If these caterpillars should again
prove troublesome in spring, the plants may be sprayed with Paris green or some other

*= Petraphora truncata, Hbn.

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST 191
SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16

strong poison before the flowers open, and again in September, as the eggs of the second
brood are laid in August and the caterpillars feed through the autumn months, giving
moths the following spring, if our form behaves in the same way as the species is said to
do in England.

The other caterpillars received were cutworms, the species being Scopelosoma tri-
stigmata, Grt. These caterpillars appeared in the strawberry beds nearly a month later
than the above ; though they were not nearly so abundant, they did some injury, and the
occurrence is worthy of record. When mature, this caterpillar is nearly an inch and a
half in length, and in general appearance is a smooth, cylindrical noctuid larva, in
colour a velvety seal brown, shading toa crimson brown beneath, the centre of the venter
being greenish. The head is dark reddish brown, with the exception of a broad upper
margin of pale brewn across the top, and reaching down the sides of the face to the
ocelli. There are inconspicuous dorsal and lateral stripes, paler in colour than the
dorsum, also a pale substigmatal band. Under the lens the whole skin above this band is
seen to be covered with streaks and blotches of a darker brown than the skin. The
thoracic shield is darker than the body and rather conspicuous, The anal shield is
yellowish brown. The thoracic feet are shiny dark brown, and the prolegs are conco-
lorous with the venter. The caterpillars entered the earth for pupation on June 23,
and the moths appeared on September 17. In British Columbia this caterpillar has
been found at Kaslo, by Mr. J. W. Cockle, feeding on wild raspberry. The usual remedies
for cutworms may be applied if this species should again prove troublesome. Probably
the most convenient in strawberry beds would be the poisoned bran mash.

VEE seis A RY .

The apiary, as in the past, has been under the sole management of Mr. John
Fixter, whose report I append herewith. The season, on the whole, has not been a
remunerative one for bee-keepers in most parts of Canada, although good yields are
reported in some sections. In the Experimental Farm apiary the honey crop was fairly
good and of excellent quality. The same experiments which have been carried on in
the past, have most of them been repeated again during 1902, owing to the extreme
interest which was evinced in them by visitors to the Central Experimental Farm.
Experiments to prove that bees do not injure unbroken fruit were again carried out and
with like results to those obtained last year, viz., that no injury is done by these useful
insects.

During the past four years attractive exhibits of honey, mostly extracted and put
up in neat glass jars, have been sent to various exhibitions. These have all been pre-
pared by Mr. Fixter, and I learn from the commissioners of the different exhibitions
that these exhibits drew much attention. The following exhibits were prepared: For
Omaha, Nebraska, in 1898 ; for Paris, France, in 1900 ; for Glasgow, Scotland, in 1901 ;
for Buffalo, United States, in 1901 ; for Wolverhampton, England, in 1902; for Cork,
Treland, in 1902 ; for Osaka, Japan, in 1903. Exhibits have also been prepared for the
Ottawa annual exhibitions for some years past.

Mr. Fixter attended the annual meeting of the Ontario Bee-keepers’ Association at
Woodstock, Ont., and took an active part in the proceedings. He has also done good
educational work in explaining the habits of bees and the way to care for them to large
numbers of visitors who have come to the Experimental Farm during the past summer.
He has, besides, delivered addresses upon bee-keeping to farmers and public school
teachers and scholars when excursions have been held to the Experimental Farm. |

192 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS
2-3 EDWARD VII, A. 1903
REPORT OF MR. JOHN FIXTER.

SEASON oF 1902.

The honey fiow of 1902 has been below the average in many parts of the Dominion,
but in some localities in Ontario and Quebec fair crops have been secured. Stocks have
been strong and active ; swarming has been good, in some cases excessive. The cool
damp weather of the past season has been unfavourable, though some apiarists had a
fairly good honey crop. The yicld, however, will not average over.40 pounds per
colony.

The season opened very early ; the colonies were set out on their summer stands on
March 22, the temperature on that date being 55° and the day clear, bright and mild.
There followed about ten days of very fine weather for the bees to fly and cleanse
themselves and their hives. Pollen was gathered about April 1, and all colonies built
up rapidly and were in excellent condition when clover bloomed. May 25, many colonies
were showing signs of clustering ; so, supers were put on to keep them working and
keep down swarming. June 18, considerable honey was stored in supers and brood
chambers. On June 18 the first swarm of the season issued. During the swarming sea-
son many swarms came off at the same time and were hived two or three together, so as
to keep down the number of swarms. There being very little buckwheat grown in this
district and no fall flow from any other source, all supers were removed on August 15.
September 1 all colonies were weighed ; any that did not weigh 50 pounds and over
were given sugar syrup made with granulated sugar fed in a Miller feeder. On
November 18 all colonies were weighed and found to be in good condition. They
were then put into their winter quarters.

Returns from the Central Experimental Farm apiary averaged 40 pounds per
colony.

EXPERIMENTS WITH DIFFERENT KINDS OF HIvEs.

The experiments commenced last year with different kinds of hives for comb and
extracted honey, have been continued. ‘Two hives of each of the following sorts were
used, one being arranged for section honey the other for extracted honey, the Lang-
stroth, the Hedden and two other kinds more or less used in Canada, one measuring 15
x 15 x 12 inches, the other 15 x 20 x 15 inches. Eight colonies of bees were selected
all of about the same strength and having good laying queens. The results from the
four kinds of hives are shown in the following table. The hives are tabulated in the
order of the returns they gave.

~~

Section Extracted

Hive. Season. Swarms. Honey ena
Sections. Lbs.
ILETAGR AOI ab ados ace bac code beac oacddom seco meas LOO eee 1 67 0
AN ee Ae Ree Pe Ae tah, eee hanes Loe ayn te ATA 1902 = ee al 0 79
TGA UE eetictateRel states iva ateeetern) or sacle teres Yavatetarsieyis|/chenalleiolsicohate LOOM eee oe ; 1 42 0
Tey cae rape tey es A ater eae nr ths Gi ORY HER eR RE Cll ITEMS M902 Fee 1 0 48
[pax pact Oun chester ae ees sic cant roruens 190, See i 56 0
Sak Aan RSM Fett NS oh ne WA he A A RU HODDER al 0 63
aoe ate on BAe Pees on te et kena, Oar Ce TE 1901 eee u 36 0
BE eg Rass ee choke Oe Rta re ces 19022258 1 0 42
TT OAGENs ists sori ACOs SEO eee echt eee TOOT Rees a 0ee 0 54 0
i? nate eee Ne mit eianup lire beret tr cr Neuter S02 ee nee 0 0 62
Ae REE Aaah Pamir ae tah Seed iA R Ne one 1901 . il 88 0

BPA ites RG cin tin ESOL. eg ONE ASS 1902: 6s 1 0 43}
Aiea ORs Sam Ghes::. sae ee eee Ee eee TOOLS. sor oe 0 0 0
u Pere (rae ee AE AO Serre an 1, Ue 0 0 23
The ee a RSS raiin eachdtins gutta Ottarecal CEN EERIE PSE enters ISTO) haere 1 *16 Pa

Mis ate Tage ekg ela ees EE eres WW So seve 1 .oith aes 463

* The 16 sections were only partly filled.

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST 193
SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16

EXPERIMENTS IN FrepInG Sucar Syrup ror WINTER STORES.

These experiments begun during the autumn of 1900, with four colonies of bees,
were continued in the autumn of 1901, with eight colonies, the extra four being the
progeny of the first four. All the natural stores having been removed in September, a
Miller feeder was placed in an empty section super, close to the top of the brood frames,
any part of the brood frames not covered by the feeder being covered with a propolis
quilt cut so as to allow the bees a passage through it. By keeping the feeder well packed
around, except where the bees entered, the heat is kept in and at the same time the bees
cannot daub themselves with the liquid. In these experiments the bees had a constant
supply of syrup. The syrup was made of the best granulated sugar, two parts to one
of water by weight. The water was first brought to a boil; then the boiler was set
back on the stove, and the sugar having been poured in, the mixture was stirred until
all was dissolved. The syrup was supplied to the bees at about blood heat. When the
hives were put into winter quarters, the wooden covers were removed and replaced with
a chaff cushion ; the hives were also given extra ventilation at the bottom by placing at
the entrance a wooden block between the brood chamber and the bottom board, raising
the front of the brood chamber about 2 inches extra. In 1901, the eight colonies were
put into winter quarter on November 9, their average weight being 572 pounds per
colony ; when taken out in the spring 1902 they averaged 464} pounds. All came out
in excellent condition : there were very few dead bees about the entrance, and the
bottom board was quite clean, there were no signs of dysentery.

The hives were set out on their summer stands March 22, the temperature at this _
date being 55° and the day, clear, bright and mild.

For the following ten days the weather was very fine and warm; the bees were
flying well and built up rapidly ; they were in excellent condition when the honey flow
came on. The first pollen gathered was noticed on April 1 ; many bees were seen
before this date gathering sap from maple tree stumps that had been freshly cut, also
wherever a maple had been injured. During the summer each colony gave one swarm
and made on an average 414 pounds of fhoney, this being considerably below the yield
n 1901 ; but, considering the damp cool season, the results are quite satisfactory.

EXPERIMENTS WITH Broop FouNDATION OF DIFFERENT SIZEs.

These experiments have been continued with the addition of full drawn combs.
(1.) Full drawn combs ;

(2.) Full sheets of foundation ;

(3.) Half sheets of foundation ;

(4.) Starters or strips of about one inch.

For this experiment four swarms caught on July 2 were used, weighing 5? pounds
each. Each hive contained only one of the above size of foundation in the brood
chamber, but full sheets of foundation in the super. Each hive was weighed daily
during the season to ascertain the gain or loss; notes were also taken on the way the
bees built up in the brood chamber.

The results are very similar to those of 1901. The hive with strips of foundation
(4) gave the largest return. In this instance the bees started to work not in the frames
but in the sections in the super, which had full sheets of foundation, sooner than the
bees in the hives Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Queen excluders were put on to prevent the queen
going up into the supers. In the hive that had half sheets (3) and in the one with full
sheets (2) the bees appeared to work about evenly in the brood chamber and in the super.
In the hive that had full drawn combs (1) the queen began to lay eggs at once and the
bees filled up the brood chamber first, a notable fact was that in the hives that had half
sheets (3), as well as in those that had starters in the brood chamber (4), the bees built
worker comb as far down as the foundation went, and below that they built very
unevenly ; in many instances the frames could not be lifted out without the combs break-
ing down and some of these combs were more than half drone cells. Not being wired

16—13

194 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS

2-3 EDWARD VII. A. 1903

they were too weak to stand the process of extracting, and they would be too weak to
support heavy swarms or stand shipping. The results of these experiments show that it
is better in all cases to use full sheets of foundation, both in the sections of the supers
and in the frames of the brood chamber.

EXPERIMENTS TO TEST WHETHER BEES INJURE SounD FRuit.

During the summer of 1901 when there was no surplus honey to be gathered from
plants outside, experiments were made with ripe fruit of four different kinds, peaches,
pears, plums, and grapes, exposed in different places in or near the Experimental Farm
apiary, where it was easily accessible to the bees. :

This experiment has been repeated during the season of 1902, with the addition of
strawberries and raspberries. All the fruit was placed in the same position as in 1901,
viz: (a) in the hives, (6) on trees and (c) in a work shop adjoining the house apiary.

Peaches, pears, plums and grapes.—The fruit was exposed in three different con-
ditions: (1.) Whole, without any treatment; (2.) Whole, after having been dipped in
honey; (3.) Punctured in several places with the blade of a penknife.

Four colonies were selected for this experiment, all of about equal strength. Each
of these colonies was in a hive upon which was placed a super divided in the middle by
a partition. From two of the hives the honey had all been removed, in the two remain-
ing hives five frames were left, each having considerable brood, with honey around it.
In each one of the four hives, the whole specimens of fruit not dipped in honey were
hung within three empty frames tied together as a rack; the whole specimens of fruit
dipped in honey were placed in one compartment of the super and the punctured spe-
cimens were placed in the other.

A. The bees began to work at once both upon the dipped and the punctured fruit ;
the former was cleaned thoroughly of honey during the first night ; upon the punctured
fruit the bees clustered thickly, sucking the juice through the punctures as long as they
could obtain any liquid.

At the end of six days all the fruit was carefully examined. The sound fruit was

still uninjured in any way; the dipped fruit was in a like condition, quite sound; but
every vestige of the honey had disappeared ; the punctured fruit was badly mutilated
and worthless; beneath each puncture was a cavity, and in many instances decay had
set in.
The experiment was continued the following week ; the undipped sound fruit was
left in the brood chamber, the dipped fruit was given a new coating of honey and
replaced in the super, and a fresh supply of punctured fruit was substituted for that
which had been destroyed. ;

At the end of the second week both the undipped and the dipped specimens of
fruit that were sound at the end of the first week, as well as the punctured specimens,
were considerably decayed and, where there were any openings in the skin, showed signs
of having been worked on, though to no very great extent.

For the third week fresh samples of fruit of all the above kinds were used ; the
result was very similar to that of the first week and, as it was later in the season, some
of the fruit that had been put in sound had begun to decay.

After the third week the bees in the two hives which had been deprived of all
their honey, appeared to be very sluggish, and there were many dead bees about the
hives, the weather being cool and damp was very much against these colonies. They:
had lived for the first three weeks on the punctured fruit and on the honey of the fruit
which had been dipped, as there were at that season few plants in flower from which
they could gather nectar ; these bees had therefore died of starvation, notwithstanding
the proximity of the ripe juicy fruit. This supply of food which they were urgently in
need of, was only separated from them by the thin skin of the fruit, which, however,
this evidence seems to prove they could not puncture, as they did not do so.

ae

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST 195
SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16

The mean weight of each of these two hives on September 5, when the experiment
began, was 24} pounds; at the end of the experiment four weeks later, each had lost
3} pounds. The mean weight of the two hives in each of which five frames with brood
arid honey had been left, was at the beginning of the experiment 36} pounds ; the mean
loss for each of these hives was at the end 1}? pounds.

B.—Fruit exposed in the open air, hung from the branches of a tree in the apiary
inclosure. In this experiment three sets of whole fruit were used, one being dipped in
honey, one left undipped and whole, and the third punctured as before. The bees
worked on the dipped and the punctured fruit, but were not seen to work on the undipped
fruit, which remained perfectly whole.

C.—Fruit exposed on shelves ina work shop adjoining the honey house. This fruit
as in the preceding experiments, consisted of whole undipped fruit, of dipped fruit, and
of punctured fruit. The bees worked both on the dipped and the punctured fruit ; only
an occasional bee was noticed vainly looking for an opening on the whole undipped fruit.

Strawberries.—-On July 2, 1902, ripe fruit of four sorts of strawberries, the Williams,
Clyde, Bubach and Warfield, was exposed in the same positions as the other fruit, where
it was easily accessoible to the bees :—

(a.) Inside the bee hive ;
(b.) On branches of trees in the apiary inclosure.

(c.) On shelves in a workshop to which bees had access through an open window.
Every care was taken that all the fruit used in this experiment should be perfectly
sound. .

(A.) Fruit exposed inside bee hives.

The fruit was exposed in three different conditions (1) whole fruit without any
treatment, (2) whole fruit that had been dipped in honey, (8) fruit of which cach berry
was cut in two.

Four colonies were selected for this experiment, all of about equal strength.

Each of these colonies was in a hive upon which was placed a super divided in the
middle by a partition. In each one of the four hives, the whole specimens of fruit not
dipped in honey were placed within three empty frames tied together as a rack in the
brood chamber; the whole specimens of fruit dipped in honey were placed in one
compartment of the super, and the berries cut in two were placed in the other.

The bees began to work at once upon the dipped fruit in the hive and kept
continually on it as long as any honey could be obtained; they also clustered thickly
on the whole berries and those cut in two, but did not appear to be getting or even try-
ing to secure any substance from them

_ (B, C.) The fruit exposed on the branches of trees and on the shelves in a workshop
was not visited at all by the bees but decayed and dried up. In the hives all fruit
decayed more quickly from the extra heat from the bees. This experiment lasted one

week.

Raspberries.—Four varieties were used, the Red, Purple, very light coloured and
Black Cap. On July 29, some berries of each sort were placed in the hives in exactly
the same positions as the strawberries. At this date there was considerable honey
coming in, and the bees did not touch any of the raspberries.

196 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS
2-3 EDWARD VII, A. 1908

IDEN ASTON OF DOT aay 1

FODDER CROPS.

Fodder crops of all kinds, with the exception of corn, produced heavily during the
summer of 1902. The excellent condition of summer pastures and the general freedom
throughout Ontario from insect pests, allowed stock to keep in the best condition without
trouble. Aftermaths were heavy, and there was some difficulty in saving them. A subject
which is always of extreme interest to farmers, particularly in those districts where
there are apt to be summer droughts, is the best mixture of grasses and clovers to sow
for permanent pastures. A great many experiments have been tried during the last
fifteen years with all the different kinds of well known grasses in the market. Asa
result of all this work one special mixture has been found which, upon a medium soil
both as to fertility and moisture, has produced regularly year after year heavy crops of
the very first quality of hay or feed. The grasses and clovers which have been included
in this mixture will succeed well in all parts of the Dominion, and those farmers and
dairymen who have tried this mixture are so well pleased with the results they have
obtained, that I again bring it to the notice of stockmen believing that they will find it
a very satisfactory mixture to grow for two years’ cutting and for two or three years’
pasture. This mixture has been known as the Central Experimental Farm Mixture and
consists of

EP UMIOBD YE «51 ctods he alape- ta caushsqreiees ae erSlereln me tstenscaana, eit aaereer tt 6 lbs.
VEGA OW: AH CS CUC). crapakercien cs Secencresctone here heen eee ae 4 on
Orchard Grass’. 520 2 Pe ctx Baal eee ee eee On eens ere 2H
Kentucky ‘Bine (tags yo... 3 cose ard ieee encore eter ieee lin
Etec. LOD)... usta siete an sieheks salePeeel crepe ieee te nema eee lin
CLOVERS.
Alsilee e's vista YAU RE FS Ree Chain Eaten aie 2 lbs.
AT Bag ea 25 EC, PR CCN ov tira aI eects Qn
Mammoth ‘Redeiiv’, a eeivracchs oe. Oe eric, see eee loin
Conmon*Red.e | eee ies Mer mresie eee eine er ar
White Dutehis osc pte ce sie ae ati ae eateries aatt

22 lbs. of seed.
Average cost of seed per acre, $2.50.

This mixture was sown at the same time as several others mentioned below in the
spring of 1901 and was mowed once during that summer to destroy the weeds. The
soil for all of these mixtures, which were sown upon plots of ;}, of an acre each, was
tolerably even both as to fertility and moisture. Manure had not been applied for three
years. The soil may be described as a rich sandy loam, but would be improved by under
draining. The plots were visited by a large number of farmers during the summer, and
it is gratifying to know that many of the large dairymen in the Ottawa district have
sown fields with some of the mixtures and expressed themselves as extremely well satis-
fied with the results they have obtained. The following table gives the crops of the

different mixtures for 1901 and 1902. These are not exactly in accordance with the records
v

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST 197
SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16

of former years as to the amount of crop produced, some being heavier this year for some
reason, while others have dropped behind their average. This is particularly the case
with the C. E. F. mixture (1), which this year was considerably lower than crops which
have been reaped in previous years. This shortage was in the second crop. In three
records of pravious trials the second crop of the second year has almost equalled the
July cut, while in 1902 it was over a ton less in amount. It must be borne in mind
that, in compounding these mixtures, the chief object considered was their value for
pastures for two (or three) years after being cut for hay for one year (or two).

Mixtures sown May 4, 1901. ——_——.

| Thoroughly cured Hay per acre,
| 1901. 1902.

fe?)
2
Z Grasses. Lbs. Clovers. Lbs. | September 24.| July 10. August 30,

Tons. Lbs. | Tons. Lbs. | Tons. Lbs.

Pe MOEM Yes: 215 0536 Gi | Adfalfar eee ce sscuwieiciers 2
Meadow Fescue..... ASAUSIRG eee toi soa 2
Orchard Grass.... . .2 |Mammoth Red..... il
Kentucky Blue. .... 1 |Common Red... .. 1
ieee | cy oe ets 1. |JWhite Dutch. ....-.- 2 il 280 2 1,080 1 966
noo ee ee Se ee ee eee See es
2 |Meadow Fescue..... Gin |Alltaliag. eoicmcicn aces 4
dbinaulin eg Goeneqounge Ses WAUSIKG soca ossteys ciere il
Canadian Blue...... 2 7 White Dutch: 2.) Ses "2
Orchard Grass...... 3
ede Mopten, =)... 3 1 200 2 900 1 1,760
ei Ee ee ee ee ee ee See ee ee ee
SO umMothiyscsses. =: «a6 DI Ailfalfack, a deveseee OC
Anenlesseprome: ;.co /) 45. |Alsikess 555i. sieceie 3
Orchard Grass...... 2 il 900 2 1,560 2 600
a a a ee eee en eee a Cae ee er |
4 |Meadow Fescue..... 6 |Common Red. ..... 4
Orchard Grass ..... 2) tafe es s. wee a nice 3
Kentucky Blue..... Te WihiteDatchinn, «eccne ok it 1,080 2 1,200 3 320
5 im obthy.s a=... «/=(-16 neuen Ome WAN Faia’ Wis eio os tere
Upright Brome..... 4 |Mammoth Red...... 4 1 920 2 45120 i 1,840
6 |Timothy............ 10 |Common Red....... 6 | 1,560 | 2 1,040 | 1 1,720
SE Aerts
7 [tiie Goasbooesooc 10 |Mammoth Red..... 6 | 1,200 | a 440 | 1 760
8 |Orchard Grass...... PS re VAUstkestta tier eee 5 | 1 120 | 1 1,320 | 1,680
a
9 |Orchard Grass...... 18 |Common Red....... 8 | ip 400 | 2 80 | 1 1,200
10 |Meadow Fescue... . 20 |Common Red....... 8 | a 40 | 2 400 1,640
vl timothy Nt OBO 12 |Mammoth Red..... 8 | 1,920 | 2 830 1 880

198 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS

2-3 EDWARD VII., A. 1903

Mixtures sown May 4, 1901.

Thoroughly cured Hay per acre.
|
|

1901. 1902.

Hi ere iasa ee eee 2 EE Eee

io)

a

5 Grasses. Lbs. Clovers. Lbs. | September 24.) July 10. August 30.
A |

| | Tons. Lbs. | Tons. Lbs. | Tons. Lbs.

12 |Timothy............ 12 |Common Red....... 8 it 280 2 1,360 1 760
ME SN OA a ee Ta A eee

13 |Timothy........... 5 |Common Red....... 5

Awnless Brome..... 10 |Mammoth Red..... 5 1 680 2 ~~ 1,120 1 1,280

PAS Acwnless BROMO. tec ae AZO? |Io.0otre is wre sete amie s atelerss eres | 1 400 | 2 1,220 | 1,800
ee eee eee ee eee ee
15 |Awnless Brome. .... 15 |Common Red...... 8 | 1 720 | 2 1,280 | i 1,480
AGU MMOCH Yee peice is = 8 {Mammoth Red...... 8 | 1 680 | 2 1,220 | 1 1,120
Se Te, APT ae ES eae a, PTS Te as a Re et Sa ae
17 Alteta ae See 15 (owsiaht green, Stons 720]bs)| 1 1,680 | 2 80 | 1 1,080
el ie

18 |Bokhara Clover..... 15 |(weightgrn., 12tons4001bs)| 2 600 | 2 1,560 |No cut; a bi-

ennial.

Se a

Of the different grasses used, the Awnless Brome Grass has been frequently treated
of in also for its adaptability to almost all kinds of soil, whether they be moist as in the
these reports and is a grass of extreme value, as a producer of both hay and pasture, and
intervale lands of New Brunswick and the low meadows of New Ontario, or lacking in
moisture as on the dry plains of the North-west, or the semi-arid hills of British
Columbia.

The Meadow Fescue (Festuca pratensis, L.), is a rich succulent hardy grass which
roots deeply and produces two heavy crops of excellent hay. The abundant growth of
young foliage, which is very tender, makes this a valuable addition to pasture mixtures.

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata, L.).—This grass is perhaps the quickest grower
after cutting, of any grass we have tried at Ottawa. The foliage when young is partic-
ularly tender and palatable to stock, but when it is allowed to get old, it becomes tough
and dry. Itisa heavy producer, but the hay is rather light. It requires a deep soil
and heavy feeding. When cut for hay, it must be cut early. At Ottawa it is gener-
ally ready for mowing by June 20, the same time as the Meadow Fescue. For this rea-
son, these two grasses are well suited for mixing with the Common Red or June Clover,
because they mature at the same season.

Kentucky Blue Grass (Poa pratensis, L.).—This is the Smooth Meadow Grass of
England, the June Grass of the greater part of Canada and is one of the grasses which
is frequently spoken of as ‘spear grass’ in some parts of the Dominion. It is a grass of
extreme value, succeeding best in cool damp districts, but thriving well and increasing
rapidly in all temperate climates of the world. It is by far the best lawn grass known,
wherever there is sufficient summer rain to allow growth to continue, being of an intense
green colour at all seasons of the year and quickly forming a thick sod. As a factor in

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST 199

SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16

permanent pasture mixtures, it has no superior and never should be omitted. It pro-
duces, when closely fed, probably more actual food for stock than any other grass, and its
season lasts except in very dry localities from early in the spring until hard frost. It is
essentially a pasture grass, and produces but very little hay.

Canada Blue Grass (Poa compressa, L.).—This grass is also known as ‘ Wire Grass’
and ‘ Flat-stemmed Meadow Grass.’ It produces a rather small crop of exceedingly
heavy rich hay. When fed down, it reproduces itself rapidly and is almost as valuable as
Kentucky Blue Grass. The seed of this grass is largely sold as lawn grass, but it is not
nearly so well suited for this purpose as Kentucky Blue Grass, on account of a reddish
tinge which it takes on when touched with frost or when affected by drought. It has not
the same habit as Kentucky Blue Grass of spreading extensively by underground root
shoots or stolons, and therefore does not form so rapidly a thick sod.

Red Top (Agrostis vulgaris, Withg.).—This grass produces in damp soil a very large
quantity of fine but not very rich hay. It is of special value in wet land, where it will stand
more water than any other of the cultivated grasses. It is palatable to stock and should
always be used in grass mixtures for low lands. It seeds freely and spreads rapidly.

Timothy (Phleum pratense, L.).—This grass is too well known by Canadian farmers
to require any special mention. When mixed with clover for hay, the Mammoth Red
or late clover should be used, as these two plants come to maturity at the same time,
while the Common Red Clover is about a week earlier than Timothy.

SIMPSON’S TRUE-PERENNIAL RED CLOVER.
(See Plate.)

In the spring of 1897, I received from Mr. Walter Simpson, of Bay View, Prince
Edward Island, some roots of a very interesting clover which he had found growing
spontaneously on his farm. This clover has now been cultivated here in the experi-
mental grass plots for six years, and has shown that it possesses many valuable agricul-
tural characteristics. It is a long-lived perennial which spreads by copious underground
stolons. Although not producing so much fodder as the Common and Mammoth Red
Clovers—it has given as much as one and a-half tons of hay to the acre—it is much more
persistent. Owing to its stoloniferous root system, it does not suffer, as those well
known varieties do, from heaving and winter-killing. A plot of this clover one square
rod in extent, was planted on April 23, 1901, by setting out root shoots in rows one
foot apart, with the plants six inches apart in the rows. By June 7, there was a growth
of three inches, and by July 26 the bed had an average height of four inches, many
of the plants being in flower. This plot was not cut at mid-summer, and the seed was
ripe by September 21. On July 3, 1902, the bed was a heavy mat of thick clover
twelve inches high, with fine leaves and many large purple flowers, as shown in the plate
herewith. The whole plot was saved for seed, which was ripe by the first week in
October. Unfortunately, this clover has shown under cultivation the serious defect of
maturing very little seed. It has, however, never been treated as the ordinary Red
or Mammoth Clovers are when grown for seed, by being cut for hay in midsummer and
the seed collected from the second crop. Under similar circumstances, the varieties
above named also show this defect to some extent, as is mentioned by Professor W. J.
Beal, in his ‘Grasses of North America.’ Next year the first crop will be cut as soon as
the plants are well in flower, and the seed will be saved from the second crop. If it
still shows the same partial sterility, an effort will be made to produce an improved form
by hybridizing it with Common Red, Mammoth and other clovers.

I am unable to come to a decision upon the exact botanical status of this clover.
It does not answer in all respects with any known and described species of clover, but

200 | EXPERIMENTAL FARMS

2-3 EDWARD VII., A. 1993

may probably be an aberrant form of Trifolium medium, L., or a hybrid of that species
with some other clover. 'rifolium mediwm, as described in European works, does not
correspond with any clover known to such botanists as I have been able to consult, or
that I myself have ever seen growing in Canada.

Mammoth Red Clover, which is the same as Cow Grass of English seedmen, is
stated in most American works to be 7’. medium, L., but it lacks entirely the stolo-
niferous or true-perennial habit of Simpson’s perennial clover. In Sutton’s ‘ Farmers’
Year Book,’ Cow Grass is stated to be a hybrid between 7’. mediwm, L., and the Common
Red Clover (Z’. pratense, L.), but Simpson’s True-perennial Clover does not agree either
with the description of Cow Grass, nor do plants grown from seeds received from Sutton
& Sons under that name, in any way resemble the Prince Edward Island plant. 7’.
medium is called Zigzag Clover, from the angulated growth of the stems, but I find no
approach to this in our Canadian plant. Simpson’s True-perennial Clover is a free-
growing, frequently branching, narrow-leaved, rather smooth perennial clover, much
resembling the figureof 7’. mediwm, givenin Sowerby’s ‘English Botany,’ but with, as arule,
two large cylindrical-ovate heads of flowers, on pedicels from one to two inches in length,
terminating each branch of the stem. The plants have no true caudex but throw out
freely in all directions through the soil vigorous stolons, by which the plants spread
rapidly. The seeds are heart-shaped, pale yellow in colour, smaller than those of both
Common Red and Mammoth Clovers. From the fact that so little seed is produced, the
hybrid nature of this clover is suggested, and it is probable that 7’rifoliwm medium may have
beena parent. If Mammoth Red really be a hybrid, it is possible that this form may
have originated from seed sown as that variety, and, as all hybrids are for a time un-
stable and subject to variation in different directions, the plant under discussion may be
a hybrid which has run back towards 7’. medium, rauch more than is usually the case.

Mammoth Red Clover is now extensively grown and is fairly constant in its char-
acters. It may be described as merely a large free-growing variety of the Common Red
Clover with larger and handsomer seeds, maturing about a week later in summer, but
with exactly the same kind of rootstocks ; in fact, it bears about the same relation to
Common Red Clover, that Tall Fescue among the true grasses does to the slightly
smaller Meadow Fescue. Common Red Clover is normally a biennial, with a tap-shaped
rootstock. The plants, as a rule, die after ripening seeds the second year, although, if
cut twice so as to prevent seed ripening, some plants will grow the third year. Mam-
moth Red Clover is slightly more persistent, but with a rootstock of the same nature ;
and I have never been able to find a plant which produced stolons or running rootstocks.

THE ORIGIN.

All that is known of the origin of this clover is given in the following extract from
a letter of Mr. Walter Simpson, the discoverer :—

Bay View, P.E.I., Nov. 20, 1902.—‘ It was about ten years ago that I found this
clover growing along the edge of a spruce bush on my farm here in Bay View. It
was just outside the cultivated fields and under the boughs of the spruce at the south
side of the bush, about four chains from my buildings. My attention was attracted to
it in passing, by the peculiar shape of the leaves. ‘The clover when first found was in
a thick mat extending about two rods in length and a yard in width. It looked very
pretty growing, on account of its pointed leaves and rich dark green colour. I thought
at first sight that it was something new and showed it to several neighbours, but they
failed to see its difference from other clovers. It was first pronounced to be 7'rifoliwm
medium, by the expert botanists of the Prince Edward Island Natural Histroy Society,
and was catalogued as such in their lists of new plants found on the island.

‘The original patch still exists and has spread considerably from where first found
and it has crept out into the cultivated field. I had none of it ripen this year, as the
sheep had access to it all summer and cropped it close. In years that it did ripen, I
could not find a single seed in the heads, though, of course, I did not examine it very
closely. I have never given it any cultivation.’—WAaLTER SIMPSON.

REPORT OF THE. ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST 201
SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16

No descriptions of 7’. medium, L., which I have been able to find in European and
American botanical works, answer to the Prince Edward Island plant; but, should the
latter prove to be a form of that species, it indicates that 7’. medium. is a valuable
clover which merits far more general recognition and trial by American agriculturists
than it has so far received.

Simpson’s True-perennial Red Clover is particularly well suited for including in
permanent pasture mixtures, both from its low stocky growth and for its truly perennial
habit, which gives it a great advantage over either Common Red, Mammoth or Alsike
clovers. As compared with White Dutch Clover, it is equally hardy and is a much
heavier cropper.

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