Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-10-06


on which it cannot thrive; among these
are the various kinds of pines, expresses
and other coniferous trees. besides the
olive and the blue gum.
No birds are known TO attack these in
sscts in this State, and very few insects
attack them. | have seen a larva of the
lace-winged fly feeding upon them. /
have also seen one of our commonest
brown ladybugs, the Hippodamia an,bigua,
feeding upon the eggs in sacs that had
been broken open so as to expose the eggs
TO view. Mr.. A. Scott Chapman, one of
the members of our State Board of Horti-
culture, recently sent me specimens of the
brown-winged ladybug (Scwnnnus marqini-
eolts} with the statement that it was OBJ
served by him to feed upon the cottony
cushion scale
Professor Riley bred two specimens of a
small chalcid fly, and l have bred few
specimens of three other species of chalcid
flies from female cottony cushion scale OBJ
tanned here.
| have bred single specimen of para
site that ordinarily preys upon the Rhiso-
c0ccus dTducdrid, a scale insect injecting our
Norfolk Island pines | have also bred
from the male pupa of the cottony cushion
scale quite a series of specimens of a para
site very closely related to the above. but
apparently distinct. | am not aware that
a parasite which naturally attacks one
specie of insect has ever been known to at
tack any other species so as to materially
check the too rapid increase of the latter i:
each parasite appears to have been created
for the sole purpose of preventing the too
rapid increase of some particular species of
insect, and its natural instinct teaches it to
deposit its eggs in the different individuals
belonging to that one species,
i Among the different remedies that have
tried and seen tried for the destruction of
the cottony-cushion scale none have given
as good satisfaction as the treatment with
hydrocyanic gas. About the only serious
objection to the universal use of this treat
mant is the present high price of the chem
icas used IN the production of this gas.
Recent experiments give promise that an
other gas, costing scarcely one-tenth of the
present price of the above, will prove quite
as efiectual; but additional experiments
are necessary to settle this point.
THE PEST IN SACRAMENTO.
In connection with the above it NAV be
said that the people of Sacramento have
finally become thoroughly aroused
to the necessity of prompt and
united effort to stay aud extermin-
ate This blighting and destructive
pest. 1t is to be said, however. that while
they are entirely Convinced OF the neces-
sity for prompt action, there is too much
disposition upon the part OF most people.
who have the enemy in their trees and
yards, 10 wait anxieusly for the city au-
thorities to come and kill the critters"
rather than 10 turn in and cleanse frees and
premises, by spraying or cutting away. be-
fore outside help arrives.
In order to successfully cope With the
cottony cushion scale, everybody that has
the least vesiige OF the pest on their prem
ises must enter upon the war of extermin2-
| ton with as much vigOr ana determined
effort as if the entire work OF getting rid Of
the enemy depended upon them. If all
will do this, and continue in the good work
the results will be speedy and satisfactory.
Whenever owners OF premises that are in
tested will not do it, nor have others, the
law must be invoked, if 4, cessary, that no
pest breeding grounds may be permitted to
! remaiu as menace 10 those who are
/ wiling TO do their duty.
THE GAS TREATMENT.
The method of exterminating by use of
gas applleu within TENT covering 6XfenC-
ing over the tree, is referred to by Prof
Ccquillett as having been successfully tried
by him. In this connection, the following
letter received yesterday from parties oper-
ating this process OF Treatment will be of
interest
Los ANGELES. October 4, 1885,
Eds. RECoRD-UNIoN Referring TO an article
cottony cushion scale, we beg to state: For the
past eighteen months we have been expert
menting with a gas process for the extermina-
ton of the scale bug, and our practical expert
nentS in every instance have proven beyond
question that by using an alright tent as Ii
covering for the tree. and the generation therein
Of hydro-cyanic gas, that every yestge of insect
life is killed, as well as all eggs and germs
thereof
We are now treating orchards in this section,
and the universal opinion expressed by fruit
growers who have seen both the operation and
its effects is that this manner of treatment is an
effeetual remedy.
Our plan of operation at first was based on an
agreement with orchardists that if the treat
nent did not eflectually destroy the scale, we
suing in districts where the fruit-GIowers are
not acquainted with the process nor apprised of
its merits.
We give you these facts, to the end that you
may make use of them if you see fit, and if the
fruit-growers i'll your section care TO investigate
the matter further they may communicate with
us, and we promise ali such communications
due attention and prompt reply. Very respect
fal yours,
CULVER & KEA' H FUMIGATING Co..
Office, 2l2 North Nam street.