The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-06-14
THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
MAKING RAPID PROGRESS
IN ITS WORK
e.+;r,+ed That Pest Caused Loss Of
100000 to Fruit Growers During
Last Season Alone

The department of biology at the
State Agricultural college at Pullman
is making rapid and satisfactory prog
ress in it's work on the Goblin motn.
The Goblin moth is regarded as the
most destructive pest the fruit growers
of the InInad Empire have to contend
with. and the loss to the fruit in
dustry in Eastern Washington alone
last year is estimated at 100000. The
Goblin moth was introduced into the
Walla Walla valley from Oregon over
25 years ago, and is now found all over
the state. and is spreading rapidly.
Habits of the Pest.
The moth is a small, insignificant
looking affair Two broods year are
produced. The worm of the first
brood matches from a tiny egg laid by
the moth on or near the young apple
about two weeks after the trees have
blossomed. 1t Immediately enters the
flower end of the apple, where it lives
and grows from two to four weeks.
Becoming full grown it descends to the
ground, spins a siIken cocoon about it
self and "pupates." In little over
two weeks it is transformed into
moth, which lays eggs on the apple,
and the life history is repeated.
The work of the department of BIZ
'ology is the most elaborate and best
conducted line of experiments yet I'M
dertaken with the moth. 1t was begun
three years ago under the direction of
Professor Piper. Since then the work
has progressed steadily and continu-
0usly. Two members of the depart
ment, Eldred Jenne, senior, and Err
nest Mackay, sophomore, are now In
the Yakima valley, carrying on the
work there under the direction of Pro-
fessor Melander.
Two Problems to Be Considered
Two great problems confront the
SCIENTISTS How to destroy the moth
and how to do it in the most effective
and economical way. In order to OBJ
tain the desired results, the life his
tory of the moth must be carefully
studied over several years time. A
vast amount of data has been collected
and carefully arranged. Jenne traced
the life history of the insect in the
summer of 1908. 1t is necessary to
understand the time Of the changes in
the insect in each particular region in
for spraying. 1t has been found that
an early or a late spring makes diff
ference in time. A hundred feet in
altitude has the same effect. The life
history of every locality must therefore
be studied. No date of the calendar
can be set as a fit time for spraying,
on account of seasonal variations, lat
itude and altitude. The scientists are
overcoming that difficulty by noting
the stages of various flowers and fruit
at important times in the insects his
tory. When the work is completed in
formation will be given, not to spray
at such and such time, but to spray
when a certain plant is in bloom or
in fruit.
Many Methods of Spraying
Already much has been accomplish
ed in determining the values of differ
ent kinds of spray poisons. The value
also of dust and liquid sprays are the
subject of experiment. Thirty-f1ve
methods of spraying are to be tried.
1t has been found that under normal
conditions five sprayings a season are
as efficient as any greater number.
The work done is already of immense
value to fruit raisers; but it is only
the beginning, and when it is COM
pleted thousands of dollars will be
saved to the fruit growers annually.
The department has recently pub
iished a bulletion on the "Wormy APP
pie" that is very interesting and Of
great worth. This bulletin will be
sent free by applying to the president
of the state college.
1t is the wish of the department to
extend the work over the state. All
that is necessary is the cooperation
of the fruit growers in the various
regions. No other scientific work has
been undertaken in this region which
promises such great economical re-
suits to the people.