Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-10-02
The insects Doomed.

For several years past it has been evident
that the early hopes of frnit-growers In this
State-that our climate was unfavorable to
the spread of insects injurious to fruit-was
hope against hope. The codling moth has
been spreading rapidly in all the valleys
where fruit growing is an important industry,
and for few years it has been invading the
orchards of the foothills, on both sides of the
great interior basin. The apple and pear
crops have been steadily decreasing under
the influence of its depredations. The quail
itv of these fruits has also been deteriorating.
In short, the worms have taken our apple
and pear orchards, and orchardists have be-
come disheartened and discouraged. Not
only this. but within the past two years adj
ditional insect pests have shown themselves
in some localities in the shape of scale bugs,
covering the young growth OF the apple and
pear trees, and attacking the fruit itself, TAX
ing the sap from the tree and marring and
disiguring the fruit. A similar scale bug has
also invaded the orange and lemon orchards
of the southern counties, and is playing
havoc with the semi-tropic fruit trees and
fruits. Thousands of dollars have already
been taken out of the pockets OF our fruit
growers by these little pests, and the destruc-
ton is so threatening that unless the evil Is
checked the fruit business of the entire State
is seriously endangered for all time to come
The State Board of Agriculture, seeing the
Al. L f,,r Y,oada isiO
for an exhibition of the insects, their habits,
etc. which has already done much to call
nnblic attention to the evil, and to the neces-
sitv of some organized action in the premises.
What shall that action be and whence
should it come, is the practical question OF
the day. 1t is of but little use for individual
orchardists to spend time and money and in
genuity in fighting the pests, so long as their
next neighbors do nothing. One old and
valueless orchard may serve as a breeding
ground from which may go forth millions OF
worms each year, to destroy the fruit on
hundred other surrounding orchards OF
thrifty. bearing trees. One man may, by ne
elect of his own trees, ruin the business of
hundred of his fellow orchardists. Volun-
tary organizations for self-protection can ac-
complish but little, because they will have
no power over other peoples orchards-no
power to enforce preventive or remedial
measures. The State Board of Agri-
culture have done a great good,
but they have no means to do
anything more than to keep the sub
ject before the people. They may, how
ever, supplement their action by collecting
together public sentiment on the subject and
formulating law to be passed at the next
Legislature, by and through which the evil
may be reached and eradicated. The exhibit
ton Of the Board at the State Fair not only
called attention to the insects themselves, but
it at the same time, and in the. same connec-
ton, brought forward remedy, or remedies,
which have been proven to be efficient in
eradicating and destroying these insects if
properly and earnestly and perseveringly APP
piled by ALL To compel all to apply the rem
edies is the province of the legislative and ex-
ecutive branches of the State Government,
and to these sources should application be
made at the next session OF the Legislature.