Early History of the Arendtsville Fruit Laboratory

Early History of the Arendtsville Fruit Laboratory

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Early History of the Arendtsville Fruit Laboratory

The idea of the field laboratories as a part of the Agricultural program of the Pennsylvania State College was conceived by Mr. C.H. Hadley who in 1916 was extension entomologist. A year later three substations were planned, one in Erie county, one in Chester county and one in Adams county. Although the others were eventually established, only the Arendtsville laboratory has operated continuously from the beginning. These laboratories were originally planned to conduct research on the insects affecting the outstanding crops of Pennsylvania, namely, grapes, mushrooms, vegetables, apple and peach. Later corn and tobacco were added and the field was expanded to cover plant pathology and horticulture.

In the spring of 1917, Mr. J.R. Eyer was employed as an entomologist for the Adams county area. He lived and boarded with the Black sisters at Floradale where a temporary insectary was set up. Preliminary studies were made and surveys conducted to determine the most important insects and those deserving special attention. The work during 1917 was carried on only during the summer. At the end of the season, Mr. Eye returned to complete his college work.

In 1918, the plans were expanded to include plant pathology and a permanent laboratory was established with a plant pathologist and entomologist working on a twelve-month basis. The hotel at Arendtsville was rented to serve as office space, laboratory and dwellings for the scientists and their families. The rent was divided equally between the scientists and the College, each paying $5.00 a month. Mr. R.C. Walton was secured as plant pathologist. He was a graduate from Ohio State University and had worked at the Agricultural Experiment station at Wooster, Ohio. His preparation in forestry and experience in plant pathology especially his relation with the chestnut blight commission fitted him well for the position. Mr. S.W. Frost, a graduate of Cornell University and previously employed by the Bureau of Entomology, Washington, D.C. was selected as the entomologist. These two men struggled during the first years trying to secure worthwhile information concerning fruit insects and diseases and at the same time attempting to establish policies regarding field  laboratories. The equipment at this time was not elaborate and there was little opportunity to conduct extensive laboratory work. Much of the time was devoted to experiments in commercial orchards and in making insect and disease surveys. A few simple weather instruments were secured at the beginning and the laboratory collaborated with the U.S. Weather Bureau in obtaining records.

In the early days the plant pathologist was interested chiefly in apple scab and frog-eye. Little had previously been done with these fruit diseases in Pennsylvania. At that time frog-eye was causing considerable defoliation in certain apple orchards and needed study. The entomologist was concerned with aphids, red bugs and leaf rollers. The European red mite was found for the first time in the United States in certain orchards in Adams county. The injury was severed and control measures were suggested. The red-banded leaf roller, contrary to previous opinions, was found to be the most important species in Pennsylvania and demanded different methods of control than the fruit tree leaf roller common in New York State.

In 1922 the hotel property was sold and it was necessary to find new quarters. Nothing could be rented so the scientists and a public spirited fruit grower pooled their meagre earnings and purchased the old Arendtsville school property in Gettysburg Street. The rent received from the college was used to improve the property and pay off the original cost. A garage was built, hardwood floors laid and other improvements made.  R.C. Walton and S.W. Frost moved into the new quarters which provided more room for work than before and somewhat better conditions. A new and better set of weather instruments were installed including a sunshine recorder, and automatic rain gauge and other instruments. Collaboration with the U.S. Weathers Bureau had been continuous since 1918.

In 1927 the untimely death of Mr. R.C. Walton left the laboratory without a plant pathologist. This greatly hampered progress at the laboratory. For ten years only entomological problems were carried on. The burden of rent, light, heat and upkeep rested solely on the Department of Zoology and Entomology cutting the actual funds for entomological research. During these years the Oriental fruit moth became a problem in Adams county. Studies were centered chiefly on attractants for the moths. This was a comparatively new field of work and attracted considerable attention throughout the country. Extensive investigations were also conducted with oil emulsion sprays in the dormant and delayed dormant periods. These were years of pioneering as oil emulsions were little known at that time. It was early discovered that oil emulsion in the delayed dormant spray killed aphids as well as apple red bugs. Recent recommendations have been based on these tests.

In 1937 S.W. Frost was called to State College to teach certain courses in entomology. At that time Dr. Harold M. Steiner was appointed Entomologist and Mr. R.D. Miller plant pathologist at the Arendtsville laboratory.

At first the work at the field station was concerned only with insects and was under the direction of Mr. C.H. Hadley. Later as plant pathology was added Dr. Fran D. Kern because interested. Mr. C.H. Hadley eventually resigned to accept the position of Chief of the Bureau of Plant Industry at Harrisburg and Dr. Kern took over the direction of the work at the Arendtsville laboratory. For a short time Prof. H.E. Hodgkiss was appointed to supervise the entomological work at this station. In 1924 Dr. E. H. Dusham became head of the Department of Zoology and Entomology and assumed responsibility of the entomological work. In 1937 a committee was appointed consisting of Dr. R.D. Anthony, Dr. F.D. Kern and Dr. E.H Dusham to supervise the work at the Arendtsville laboratory. Later a system of annual meetings with the fruit growers was initiated to discuss and plan the work of the station.