§ 51. Earl WINTERTONasked the President of the Board of Agriculture if his attention has been called to the fact that for the last six or seven years oak woods in certain districts of Kent and Sussex have been damaged by caterpillars, and that in some cases trees are dying from this cause; and if he will arrange for arboricultural experts to examine the woods in the districts affected with a view to finding a remedy?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir R. Winfrey)The attacks on oak trees are generally due to the larvæ of the oak leaf roller moth, which defoliate the oak of some one or more districts in this country every spring. Trees as a rule do not die from the ravages of this pest, but come into leaf again as summer progresses, and, apart from the check to growth, no permanent harm seems to be done to them. If my hon. and gallant Friend will send me more particulars of the woods and of the pest, I will gladly have the matter looked into as he desires.