The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-07-14
FIGHT AGAINST FOREST INSECTS
What Experts Hope to Do-Announce-
ment by Government Agent Z.
3. Mason.

Spartanburg, July 10.-The forest
insect field station, which has been
established in Spartanburg by the de-
partment of agriculture Of the United
States, has already begun active work,
and has laid plans whereby much ac-
tual good will be done for the trees
and timber interests, not only in this
immediate vicinity, but throughout
Georgia and the Carolinas.
r. ". Turner is special agent, and
e. B. Mason is his assistant. Mr.. Tur-
ner until recently has been located in
the State of Oregon, where he has
been engaged in similar work for the
department. Mr.. Mason has been con-
nected with the service for some time.
He graduated from Princeton univer-
sitv and from the Forestry School at
Yale, and has also studied extensively
abroad. In an interview Mr.. Mason
said:
"The pine tree beetle has Increased
greatly recently. The prevalence OF
this insect as existing in this section
was reported to the department OF
agriculture at Washington, which LED
TO the establishment of tits bureau IN
Spartanburg. Investigations that we
have made at Reidsville, in Spartan
burg county, and in other sections
shows US that this beetle goes from
four to five generations. In this Sec
ton it is in it's first to second genera
ton, and it's damage to timber has
made it very serious matter.
"The solution of the adjustment o1
the pest lies entirely in the hands o1
the individual farmer and land owner
who, by cooperation among themsel'
YES and with US. We will show them
how to control it. The lack Of funds
and the limited number of men avail
able for the government make it i'm
possible to inspect every individual
land owners timber and give specific
r. advice in each case, but the govern
ment will, through this station, give
X the best scientific advice and teach the
land owners to combat the pest them
selves.
'fWhat We offer now," continued Mr.
Mason, "is to have the owners Of tim
Der interests to report their troubles
to US, along With description Of the
trouble and tho location Of the dead
or dying treas, in o der that we may
centralize the efforts in the m )st IN
tested districts,
Mr.. Mason said further: THE cut
ting down Of trees at this season OF
the year attracts the beetle and other
trees. living and in the same vicinity
soon become infected likewise. The
spreading of the insect and the dam
age to adjacent timber is one of\the
worst and greatest detriments con
nected with the prevalence Of the in
sect.
-. s*When full information has been re-
ceived as to the extent of the vista
tons of the beetle, which will be IN
{ November of this year, We will issue
circular giving specific directions as
to how to control the pest We will be
glad to speak in any district where
there are sufficient timber interests to
warrant visit. This is a mater +'>"+
concerns the entire South, and espe-
cially those districts where extensive
timber interests exist, and is in under
no circumstances a State matter. II
is absolutely an interstate bureau, as
are all that the United States govern
rent conducts.
4. E. Smith, of f. F. D. No. 5, Green
vile, a well-known and prominent
timbel'naan, has received such instruc-
tions from DR.. Hopkins, expert on in
sects at the department of agriculture
in Washington, as to be able to dc
demonstration work in regard to the
beetle, and has been appointed for this
purpose in Greenyille and vicinity. Mr.
<smith was appointed in the depart
ment of agriculture.
PASSENGERS DASHED TO DEATH.