Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-08-19
IMAGINARY PESTS.
How Sensationalists Let Them Loose
Upon the State.
noll

Upon Cne state.
[san Francisco Call, August l7th.I
The plum-growers of California were re-
Gently thrown into state of CONSERVATION
by reports that the Eastern plum curculio
had made its appearance at Los Angeles
and Sacramento, and was working havoc in
tle orchards in those vicinities.
1t is well-known fact that plums cam
not be grown to maturity in places infested
by this insect, aid the plum growers began
to look forward to biighted orchards and
bank accounts. The attention of the State
Board of Horticulturists was at once called
to the reported advent of the pest, and
thorough investigation Twas determined
upon.
The investigation has been made, and
the only curcuiio found was in the imagi-
nation of the alarmists who had spread the
report. The investigators also paid some
attention to the work of the AphcIinats
Jascipeaanis, a parasite that preys upon the
pernlcious San Jose scale. The result of
the horticulturists labors are given in the
following report to the State Board
THE cURCuLIo NOT IN CALIFORNIA
SAN FRANCISCO, August Is, 1889
b. n. Lelong Secretary State Board of Horticun-
uTe, San Francisco Cal.-DEAa SIR In accord
ance with your Executive Committees order
No. 8, directing me ITO Immediately proceed to
Los Angeles and there make a thorough in
1
Eastern plum curculio is to be found at that
place II found, to enforce the law to the full.
est extent. and cause all injected fruit to be
DESTROYED
second-Also to investigate as to the parasites
that have been reported as destroying the per
nicious scale insects in that section, and, IL
iound, 70 secure cuttings, twigs, etc, for cistri
Third-To consult and advise with the County
Horticultural Commissioners about methods Of
distributing the yedolia,. spraying, etc.
In t-ffh \.
report that / left San Francisco August 4th, ar
rived in Los Angeles the next day and worked
there until the 18th, returning here to-day, the
18th Of August.
At Los Angeles secured the cooperation of
the County Horticultural Commissioners and
their inspectors, the assistance and advice of
Professor ID. w. Coquilet, Alexander Craw, and
Colonel J. r. Dobbins. the last named gentleman
having been appoin ed my deputy through your
consent and advice. A systematic inspection
was made of all fTut-stands and orchards as far
as possible in the limited time, for the curculio
and until was satisfied that no curculio existed
in Los Angeles.
ton that seems TO give clew 10 the starting of
the report that has been published throughout
the tate that curculio was to be found in Los
Angeles. The factS-are as follows:
STARTING OF THE REPORT.
party from the north, during an inspection
tour in Los Angeles, was taken by George Com
pere TO his father, p. Compere's nursery. where
a scale, apparently new, was to be found on an
| imported Japanese palm. received lately from
| San Francisco; also bug that was eating the
| leaves of plants, and especially destructive to
| the flowers of the marigold. p Compere in
formed HIM that the bug was the curcuiio, that
| he knew it well. During our visit Mr.. Compere
| still said 1t was curculio.
From this statement have no doubt the story
| got abroad, as Mr. Compere has kept the bug
| story to himself. not wishing to be annoyed by
| the County Inspectors. We caught quite num-
Der of bugs. male and female (Ccmpere's cor
cul:o), ana submitted them TO Professor Co
quiuett who made a clreiul study and exami-
nation, comparing them with named specimens
| and with reports and plates published by the
chronological Department at Washington; he
beetle, Ardmigas Fttleri
full description, with plates, of this beetle
can be found IN Department. OF Agriculture Re-
beetle. This: Il seems to me, Is the story of the
curcuiio, and am satisfied that no plum cur
cuao exists in Los Angeles.
PARASITE or THE SCALE.
As to the 4phelilius fiscipeaRis, parasite of
| the pernieious lsan JOSE scale. beg to report
\ that secured the services Of Professor Coouil-
/ lett, a scientific entomologis., and Colonel Dob
| bins and visited the district that was said to
have been nd of the pernicious scale by this
| parasite apheiinus. The orchard is the property
/ OF a Mr.. Cass. located on East Jefferson street.
| Los Angeles. This orchard had been reported
| as badly infected with the pernieio1s scale and
later on as having become comparatively free
from the scale, and that the trees that had al
( most reached deaths door had revived and
were almost as good as new
The parasite was found to exist in great num-
bers, and the full credit of freeing the trees was
| given to this parasite. Be that as 1t may we
found the trees in this orchard, sill injected
1 and appearances of the spread Of the SCALE and
after dilIgent search found only one I've
| dptcl1pus. We, however. secured a box of cut
/ tings where the scale seemed affected, and Col
Dobbins win undertake TO propagate colonies
| on the orchard of Judge Gardner and il is 10 be
hoped that in a few months he will t e able to
| furnish said parasites TO all who want them
| iwish to say, however, that the Apheifnas Is
not new parasite, IS IL was found in San Jose
ten years ago. and full description of il can be
| found as then described on page 356 Agricult-
ural Report for 1880. The horticultural Com
mission of Los Angeles county found to be an
active working board, with a CORPS of intelli-
gent inspectors, all, ss Ear as could determine
in my short visit, doing their work well and
| conscientiously.
They are distributing the vedolia, and it viii
not be nc any days before every orchard in Los
| Angeles county that Is infested with cottony
! cusaion scale Eccgga purchase will be supple
with the vedoiia- The work of the vedolia has
been complete, and seems more like q dream
| than reality. Very respectfully submitted.
| GEORGE RICE.
| 40 cUEcuLIo AT SACRAMENTO.