Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-09-20
INSECT PESTS.
The Shrubbery and Citrus Trees Af Sac.
ramento Badly Infe

ramento Badly Infected.
Bugs, bugs everywhere, in the parks, tine
gardens and in the forest. They have
good foothold in Sacramento and unless
radical measures are used to eradicate them
they will soon destroy all the shrubbery
and the citrus trees in the city. The first
scale noticed in this county was on the
river fruit ranches, and it got such good
foothold that it almost worked the ruina-
ton of some of the best orchards. One
Bartlett pear orchard of Dwight Hollister
was so badly affected last year that he de-
cided to dig it out this season. The cold
weather, however. of last winter seems to
have killed off the scale, and the orchard
this season is comparatively free from
scale. All the farmers in the county have
made fights against its inroads, and where
spraying has been resorted to the scale has
been killed aud the trees and crops saved
Il is said that in San Diego county the
scale has got into the chaparral on the hill
sides, and if this is true the orchards of
that section will fare badly.
The Trustees some weeks ago passed an
ordinance looking to the determination of
the pests within the city limits. Mayor
Gregory has been specially active in this
direction, and at his solicitation Professor
Klee, State Inspector of tree and vine pests,
visited this city. He found the pests scat
tered throughout the city, but the greater
number in the northern portion.
While crossing the Plaza his attention
was drawn to a magnificent acacia tree
which stands in the northeastern segment
of the square. 1t is tree of noble pro-
portions, probably the largest and finest
shaped Of its species in Sacramento, one of
the most desirable variety, with beautiful
fimbriated leaves. 1t was found to be liter
ally alive with the cottony cushion scale
bugs. Some three years ago the tree was
affected very slightly with the pest, and
Klee said that he had notified the Trustees
of its condition at that time. If the scale
is permitted to extend its ravages further
the entire foliage Of the Plaza will be de-
stroyed.
The scale seems to be partial to acacia
and locust trees, and the Professor saws
when once affected the trees might as well
be cur down. If this is. true, there will be
many a fine tree cut down in the Plaza,
Capitol Park and the beautiful grounds
surrounding many elegant homes.
Yesterday the Mayor visited several in
tected yards in company with Mr.. klee.
All the owners are anxious to have their
trees washed. but when you mention the
have to be destroyed, they get up on their
ear" fguratively speaking, and say they
will spray, they will wash, they will do
anything but use the ak. They know the
Mayor is fond of poetry, and they throw
the following at him wherever he goes:
Woodman, spare that treel
Touch not a single bought
In youth it sheltered me-
And I'll protect it now
Twas my foTefathers hand
That placed it near his cot;
There woodman, let it stand,
Thy ak shall harm it notl
AT this season of the year the scale, which
is so prevalent in Sacramento, is a very
ugly and conspicuous insect, noticeable at
once when the branch of an infested tree
or shrub is lifted. 1t is a round fat bug
with dull red and mottled coat with a
cottony cushion covering, whence it derives
the name. Many Of them are as large as
the nail of the little finger. They attach
themselves TO the under surface of the
leaves upon which they feed, or cluster
about the tender stems and Young branches
| of the growth whose life and sap they suck.
| The pest is especially fond of citrus fruit
trees, as many property-oWners IL the city
who have nourished young orange trees in
| their gardens well know to their cost The
| spirea Or bridal-wreath shrub in its many
! forms is great favorite with the scale In
| fine, there is scarcely tree or shrub cult
waited for its fruit flowers or ornamental
| foliage, in this city, that may not be at
tackled by the multiform destroying in
| sects.
| The Mayor has decided on buying a
| pump and employing 9 competent person
| to commence at once and thoroughly scour
| the city, visit every yard, inspect every tree
| and endeavor if possible to not only check
| its spread, but to eradicate the pest Mr..
| hlee says solution made of resin, caustic
soda and water can be made at cost of
one cent per gallon, which makes an ef-
fective wash. Concerning The introduction
of certain insects which prey upon and de-
stroy the pests, he believes that no lady
bug has yet been found efficient in this
| work. have recently received, said he
new parasite from Australia which is
| claimed to be an effective DESTROYER of the
| cottony cushion scale. a small consign-
ment of these which came to hand sorne
| months ago l placed on farm in San
Mateo county, but they died Lately re-
| ceived a second lot of the parasites, and a
! trial of their virtues is now being made.
with hopeful results. The question Of
Australian parasites generally is now under
| investigation by the Federal Government.
| Professor Riley, of the Ent0mOl0gical De-
partment of the Smithsonian Institution at
| Washington, has commissioned one of his
| corps Of assistants for this work, and the
gentleman is now upon the ground. The
study will be q thorough one, and we may
yet secure an etficacious bane for the Cali
| fornia pests"
The Grass Valley 7EdingS says: " Charles
Barker, who is good authority on all sub
jects connected with fruit-growing, informs
US that the San Jose scale has attacked
| every pear tree and orchard in the western
part of the town, and that this scale is