The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1890-07-01
THE COrrOKY CUSHION SCALE.


rapid progress in and about Homo
lulu. The Bill now before the
Legislature providing authority to
deal with it should be passed with
out delay, and a liberal appropria-
ton be made to carry out its provl-
sions, more especially the propaga-
ton and distribution of the lady
bug.
The following letter speaks for
itself, and is Published for general
information.
Mr.. Cooper is only a visitor at
the Islands, but as be has been IN
terested in orange culture in South
ern California, and has been
through q costly experience with
the blight there, he has taken
generous interest in the subject
here:
Nh. EDITOR: During my short
stav in the Kingdom, have been
charmed with the many natural
beauties that are presented to the
eve at every turn, and especially SO
with the Iuxuriant growth OF the
fruit and forest trees. 1t would
seem quite impossible to the casual
observer. that there was an enemy
present which threatens to destroy
all this loneliness, and turn this
tropical garden into a wilderness;
such. however, is the case, and II
will require the most vigorous
measures to prevent the havoc that
will surely follow if allowed to re
main unassailed. l refer to the
several forms of scale and blight
which have taken possession OF
some of the most useful and orna-
mental trees and plants upon this
island. The dreaded cottony
cushion scale, which has done so
much damage to the orange and
lemon groves of Southern Cali
fornia. is here in full force and also
the green, turtle-back and oyster
shell scale (the last named being
the most feared in Flerida) are
here in large numbers. To one
who has seen the desolatlon
that has been wrought by
these pests, it seems strange that
there should be dissenting
voice to any step taken towards an
extermintion of these direful pests.
For four long years has the war
been waged in Southern California
against these miserable enemies,
and at last with complete success;
but in the meantime many expert
ments have been made, many thou
sands of dollars spent, and much
valuable property destroyed in vain
attempts; but now the Horticul-
turist feels that he can cope with
all these various forms of blight
and scale, with perfect confidence
that his labors will be crowned with
success.
That which at first appeared a
great undertaking now seems plain
sailing. each evil has its remedy,
each poison its antidote. Perhaps
some hints as to the methods made
use Of on the Coast may be of value
IN proceeding against the pests
here. The cottony cushion scale
has a deadly foe in the form of the
Australian lady bug, which has
proved itself an Invaluable ally to
man in its destruction, and is con-
sidered the only means in efectu-
ally fighting this pest. The lady
bug should be propagated in
building prepared for that purpose,
as it would be well nigh impos-
sible to import it in sufficient
numbers to withstand the at
tacks of insect eating birds and at
the same time destroy the scale.
The green, turtle-back, black and
oyster-shell scales may be success
fully treated by an application of a
spray made by forcing a solution of
whale oil soap and concentrated
I've or caustic soda and resin
through a nozzle having small
opening and under heavy pres
sure. Fumigating with sulphur
has also been tried as means of
destroying these pests on individual
trees. but this merely alleviates
and does not cure the evil. Cutting
down trees and shrubbery has also
been resorted to. but this is unsat-
isfactory for like reasons. The COM
plete determination of the pest must
be aimed at, and a rigid quarantine
established to prevent further i'm
portations. So far the pest has been
found on nearly every tree, except
ing the eucalyptus, algeroba and
pepper, but on the Coast even the
last-named tree has fallen a prey to
the cottony cushion scale when its
favorite food has become scarce.
Whether it will attack the sugar
cane or not can only be conjec-
tured, but as it loves a sweet sap,
the indications are that it may. 1t
would be desirable TO have all trees