Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-01


vent its spread in 1879, but such as were
made properly were successful. The So
called San Jose scale had spread over con-
siderable territory, and
THE GROWERS WERE STILL IN DOUBT
In regard to the proper remedy for its ex-
termination. And the same may be said
of the red-scsle on the orange and lemon
trees. 1t is said that the darkest hour
is near to daybreak, and this saying is
applicable to the matter of inaugurating
the warfare against the insect pests of the
orchard, etc., in California. The discus
sions at the meetings of the State Horti-
cultural Society, and the prominence given
the subject by the RECORD UNION and
some other journals throughout the year
$780, had the effect of convincing some of
the owners of infested orchards of the fact
that their property was depreciating In
value. But little progress was made in
1880 in the work done generally, as there
was a lack of concert OF action and d.
versity of opinion as to remedies.
ACTION TAKEN BY THE LEGISLATURE.
In the spring of 1881 legislation was
secured which had the effect of arousing
the fruit.growers to look after their inter-
ests. a Board Of Horticulture was ap-
pointed, and the results Of their work for
a period Of two years, from A pril ), 1851,
to April 5. 1885, may be summed up as
follows First-An increase in value of
orchard property and fruit lands second,
the restoration of orchard revenues, which
had deprecated by the ravages of insect
pests third, reliable remedies were dis
covered, and the natural history and habits
Of many species of injurious inaects we're
investigated. 1t is stated at the commence.
ment of this paper that in 1873 but few
species were known to be found in the
orchards of this State. Up TO The present
time over go species have been found and
described. This includes injurious insects
that are found in the orchard, vineyard,
field, etc.
CONVINCING PROOFS OF SUCCESS
In the warfare against insect pests can be
offered. Santa Clara county fruit growers
popular name OF San Jose scale. Their
orchard property has increased in value :;
also the unimproved fruit-laHds through.
out the State are in great demand at ad-
vanced prices of from so to $50 per cent.
In this connection prominent State officer
informed me that in the fall of 1881 he
was offered a piece of fruit.land located
near the South Pacific Coast Railroad in
Santa Clara county at $40 per acre. Ten
months afterwards the owner asked him
$40 per acre for the same land. In an
swer to his inquiry concerning the advance
in price, the owner informed him that
I'VE have no fear of the scsle-bug now.
When you were here last fall we did not
know that it could be eYterminated. If !
cannot get the price l have asked (Sll0 per
acre., will plant it myself" An orange
grove containing twenty acres was infested
blythe red. scaleand black scaleinsects; was
offered for sale at S., 200. An outlay OF
5000 made such an improvement that the
owners stated they would not take $4,000
for it, etc. 1t can be said without fear of
contradiction that the fruit. growers of Cal
ifornia have by patient investigation and
thorough work practically demonstrated
that they are
MASTERS OF THE SITUATION,
And that the hordes of insect pests can
be exterminated. THE successes reported
are not the result Of single experiment
done by scientist, or on entirely scien-
tific principles, but the results obtained by
the united action of growers in many sepa-
rate districts, each district containing an
area Of many square miles.) 1t can be
further stated that the enterprising fruit.
growers of this State there are many not
yet in the advanced rank have done more
ints lligent and successful work in their
warfare against all kinds of injurious in
sects since the lst of January, 1851, than
has. been done in any other portion of the
United States, or in any other part of the
world, in the last fifteen years. 1t must
be remembered the warfare VIII have to be
kept up, as the climate of California is
very favorable to the increase of inset
life Since sacred history interpreted
the locust swarms to be the wrath of God,
the cultivator of the soil has had to fight
for his own"
SOME SPECIES SPECIALLY NOTICED,
Among the injurious species found in
California, some have not bsen reported as
found previously in the United States.
Others were not known to be injurious to
fruits, foliage, etc. Still others have a
lnrger variety of food Ilsnts than
heretofore reported Special notice
of some of these, accompanied with
cuts of the insects referred to, will be
of interest and perhaps value to fruit. grow
era. Following are some of them When
straight bar is shown by tie side of cuts
below given, it indicates that the cut is
enlarged, and the bar shows the natural
length of the insect. If a second line
crosses the first, the longest line represents
the expanse of wings, and the other the
length of insect.
No L, De Longs Caterpillar. THE only
orchard where this caterpillar mU0n,.
Zig. y was found is the or NMMWAH
chard of the NeYato ranch. M%Ex&ZW