Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-08-09

male insect tsec Fig. q IS winged the tho
rax and body are of dark brown color,
the wings are brown and irridescent. The
small cross at Fig indicates the natural
size, with wings spread.
FOOD PLANTS.
This pest may be termed . general feeder,
so far as ito food plants arc known. 1t in
tests all varieties OF citrus trees, and also
forest and ornamental trees, plants and
shrubs. It thrives well upon the nettle
and other weeds, and also on potato vines,
celery, etc When it is taken into cOnsid-
Grafton the rapidity with which it propa-
gates its kind. it viii readily be recognized
as a formidable enemy to contend with,
wherever 1t appears and it must be borne
in mind, no. only to the trees infested, but
to all those surrounding them, as viii be
shown IN this article.
WHERE FOUND AT PRESENT.
At present it is foundi in only few local.
ties in this State A few years ago it in
tested some acacia trees at San Rafael.
Strenuous efforts were made to destroy II
there, but whether they were entirely sue
cessful | cannot say. II is found on Orna-
mental trees, plants, etc, on the west side
of San Francisco bay. / nOticedi it on oTna-
mental trees and shrubs at San Jose some
time ago. Two citrus groves in Santa Bar
hara are seriously infested by this pest;
also a few trees in gardens in the city of
Santa Barbara. At Los Angeles it hes been
allowed to spread over a considerable area.
/ found it in the groves formerly owned by
T A. Geary, and also in trees located near
Washington, Main, Kobler and Lemon
streets, and in some other groves in the
vicinity, although all within the city
limits. This may not be good news to the
fruit growers below Los Angeles As stated
above, this pest feeds upon weeds and vege-
tables, and, therefore, is liable TO be spread
by being carried from one orchard to an
other by the water in the bitches used Tor
irugating purposes. Should this pest be
allowed to spread beyond the area already
infested, il win cause a loss 10 property
owners by the depreciation Of its value
many fold the amount II would cost e
thoroughly clean the trees now infested.
RAPIDITY OF ITS SPREAD.
About two years and a half ago this pest
was discovered in the garden of Mrs. Nc
Gregory at San Gabriel Los Angeles cOun-
ty, on two or three orange trees. Upon In
ouiry It was learned that the lady had
bought a pot-shrub in Los Angeles and
brought it home, and placed il at the side
of an orange tree. The shrub wac infested
by this insect. and in 4 short time il hac
infested the orange trees. Although Mrs
McGrccory had attempted 20 eradicate i
from her trees. she faiicu to do so. l adj
vised that the citrus-Srowers in th'
neighborhood should cXpend abOu
$40 ana thoroughly clean the tree
that were infested II was theI
reported that the property had been pur
chased by a gentleman at los Angeles
who would have the work done satstactor
lily The sale was not made as reported
and the matter was overlooked until las
spring, when it was found that the pest ha'
spread to orchards not only in the yicinit,
of the infested trees, but 70 some that wer
located miles from them. In some case
the pests wouid be found only on fey
trees in the center of grove.
oITRUs-GRowRR5 ORGANIZING.
The citrus-growcrs Of the San GabriC
valley organized, and taxed themselves i
proportion tothe number Of trees owne
by each An Executive Committee wa
appointed, and b. NJ. lie Long was electe
Superintendent of the work. Every TIRE
found in the valley infested by the cotton
cushion scale was cleaned On the %
ultimo I visited all the groves in which tn
trees we're infested, and examined theI
carefully and only found one specimen
the pest. This was found on a rose-bus
in the garden where it vas first found
the valley. The amount of work done u
10 the 23d OF July cost Httle over So
and it win probably cost 500 more
guard against its temperance. The wor
done reflects great credit to Mr. lie Lon
and the citrus-growers of the San Gabri
valley will realize that they have made
very profitable investment.
los ANGELES AND VICINITY.
VIII the citrus growers of los Angel
and vicinity follow the example OF Il
San Gabriel growers? In this connection
will say that il is next to impossible to g
all owners of trees interested, but it wi
pay the enterprising growers to have Il
work done for the protection of their on
property. Probably the whole work cou
be done for less than $1,000, which Won
be a small tax on each tree growing in Il
citv and vicinity Or. demand ofthe Boa
ofSupervisors to pay the salaries due Il
Board of horticultural Commissioners
the county, which theyrefused to do by Il
advice Of the District Attorney, on Il
ground that the horticultural law was u