The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1880-10-27

unQeScrlbeQ scale coLuLnOn W
pear, fig and other trees IN TINS State
which / have good reason to oeileve
has spread in the cultivated trees
from the native willows. And In
Florida there is scale which is quite
common on cltron trees and other
plants, which believe has spread
from the gall berry, an indigenous
bush very common throughout tnat
State
HOW THE SCALE INSECT is SPREAD
Aword as to the mode of spreading
scale insects. AS ! have already
stated, with most species the adult
female is firmly attached to the plant
upon which she lives; she is conse.
quently a ''stay.at-home body" And
although the adult males are winged,
it is obvious that the pests could not
be spread by the flight of that sex
alone. The newly Matched young of
both sexes, however, are very active,
crawling about from ore part OF an
infested tree to another, or even to
other trees which may be near. 1t
doubtless often happens that these
tiny creatures are brushed from the
trees by persons or vehicles passing,
and are thus distributed. Or
they may crawl upon the feet of birds
and thus be carried long distances.
But the most common mode by which
these pests are distributed is by the
transportation of trees and fruit, in
tested with living scale insects.
METHODS OF PREVENTING THE PEST.
These facts suggest the following
methods for preventing the occur
renee of these nuisances. In planning
an orchard, choose as isolated a place
as is practicable. If isolation cannot
be obtained, induce your neighbor to
join you in your efforts to grow clean
fruit. Use the greatest care in pur-
chasing trees or importing buds:
Before planting, thoroughly wash all
such trees with an insecticide, even II
they appear to be clean. for the un-
trained eye may fail to detect early
stages of these insects. Do not visit
infested orchards unnecessarily, and
above all things do not carry home
specimens of scale bugs as curlosities.
Watch your trees carefully, and it
one is ever found to be infested with
scales, remember that no better in
vestment can be made than to burn
that tree, and that no timeis so good
for doing y as tbs. esa when It is tirst
found to be Infested The system of
exchange of fruit boxes is very
dangerous one. Each shipper should
have his boxes marked, and insist on
not receiving boxes belonging to
other shippers.
REMEDIES FOR DISCRIMINATING THE
PESTS.
In many cases, however, the pests
have gained such foothold that
these methods OF warfare are i'm.
practicable, and remedy which will
destroy these insects without I'M ur.
ing the tree is desirable. / have be-
gun large series of experiments with
different substances, hoping to find
such a remedy. These experiments
are as yet, incomplete, and L will
only,state that so far / have found
nothing more desirable, taking into
consideration it's value as an lnsectl'
eide, i is ffectupon the tree,
and its cheapness, than strong
solution OF whale.oil soap. This l
apply with fountain pump or gar
den syringe. And as it is impossl'
bic, almost, to thoroughly wet every
insect by single application seVe-
raj are usually necessary.
Many other substances nave oeen
tested, and the results OF the experl-
ments will be published as soon as
practicable.
/ will add, however, that | have
seen most excellent results IN the
orchard OF V. G. Mason OF san Jose'
from the use of the following MIX
ture
One pound concentrated lye: inv
pint gasoline or benzine, halt pint
oil, FIVE gallons water.
SMUT ON ORANGE TREES AND oLEAN
DERS. -,
Associated with certain coccids'
and especially with those when 40
not form scale.like covering TO the
body, as has been already described
is black substance covering tne
leaves and fruit. This is very aoun'
dant IN this State OH oleanaers'
oranges and other plants infested oy
the black scale, ard in FLORIDA on
trees infested by the mealy bug; Il
is popularity known as smut. ~
is fungus, and has been determined
by Professor Farlow OF Harvard as