Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-09-11
sAS MARrSo. Sep. 10, 1884.

SAS MARISo. Sep. 10, 1884,.
EDITOR HERALD: The Cettony Cush-
ion Scale tIcerya purchasi) is fast taking
possession Of the orange orchards Of Los
Angeles. and unless active aud immedi
ate measures are adopted to exterminate
this pest, the time Is near at hand when
our orange groves will be ruined and this
great source of wealth destroyed. Nor
does this frightful pest coniine its at
tacks TO the citrus family Of trees. but IL
is equally as formidable an enemy TO all
other fruit trees. and ornamental ones
as well, shrubs, roses, and now comes
samples Of grape vines from Los Angeles
city where the bng is actually eating the
grapes on the vines.
In the San Gabriel valley the orchard
ists have come together in the spirit Of
enterprise and self-protection, and by
voluntary subscription have raised cer-
tain sum which by intelligent direction
under an expert has almost obliterated
this pest; but there still remains vigo-
rous work TO be done before we can con-
slider ourselves safe from the destroying
insect we have among ourselves. While
the result OF our work here has
been eminently satisfactory. proving
boyond all doubt that by the intelligent
application of remedies, this insect can
bs entirely destroyed and the trees
sived, still there is little comfort TO us
" hen we are forced to face the fact, that
as fast as we exterminate the pest we
arc subject to the incursions of new
colonies from the orchard, Of those men,
who will do nothing themselves to fight
the pest and are unwilling to pay to
have others do the necessary work for
them.
Prohibetur ne quis Jacim IN suo qnod
noceTe possn in aiienO which Translated
from the law Latin names, tits forbidden
a man to do in his own property that
which may injure another Ii this ia
principle Of law then our system Of
Jurisprudence must OF itself provide
some remedy in tho way Of aba,ing q
public and dangerous nuisance. without
waiting for statutory enactment; and
the owners Of infected orchards under
this rule could be compelled to abate the
nuisance by removing the insect or else
have the trees destroyed. Apart from
the common law rule. We have on our
own Statute Book, a law to protect and
promote the horticultural interests
OF the State, passed in 1881,
which II enforced would meet
all the necessities of the case. i nm
aware that the Supreme Court rendered
q decision declaring portion OF the Wit.
icultural Bill as applied to the disinfect-
lug of fruit boxes unconstitutional. but
the bill refer to has never been tested,
if this bill be declared unconstitutional
then have the Legislature pass some act
which may be enforced.
know that many of our people will
oppose any law which imposes any re.
striction. upon the full enjoyment Of
ones property or that will compel him
to take care Of himself and save hi,
neig ghbor's property, but il the good people
of Los Angeles county would appreciate
the danger which now threatens them
they would be unanimous in demanding
action and immediate action too, from the
Board of Supervisors. From the sol
springs the wealth Of nations, and more
especially is this true of our own county.
1t is upon our fruit interests that our
present prosperity rests, and upon which
our greater prosperity in the future
is predicated. The value OF our
land and their selling prices
depend upon the fact that
we can raise fruits OF such commercial
value g as will pay interest Oh high priced
4. - a. anI aro bIa o,nan x,rnpartv hnl1oro
to earn enough to support their families
upon the products of their few acres.
Upon this happy and important fact
have grown up the prosperous colonies
of Southern California; change these
conditions and the era of our great pros
perity is ended, and the result will be Of
such nature that do not dare to write
nor wish to consider.
| am no alarmist; have never, be-
lieve, written any communication for
publication without due consideration OF
its effects upon the welfare of this coun-
try, but now, with the full realization OF
the possible results of this statement, l
solemnly believe, and with regret say,
| that unless some measures are at once
adopted to eradicate the Cotton Cush-
ion Scale Bug" from Los Angeles coun-
| ty, that we will be seriously injured COM
mercially and financially and our as
sessed values of to-day will shrink in
three years to what they were twenty
years ago. II this opinion be correct.
then, Mr.. Editor, is not every man,
every protest. IN, every business interest
as much interested to have this evil,
this frigbtful engine of destruction end
ed, as are the possessors Of the orchards
and vineyards!
j. DE BARTH SHORE.