Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-11-10

By disease, which, according to published
accounts, is very similar to the one in Cali
fornia. 1t was claimed that within the
past two years the disease had almost dis
appeared from certain portions of Italy.
and it was principally to get some definite
information in regard to that matter that
the agent desired to personally inspect the
European vineyards. 1t is hoped that his
investigations will enable him 10 throw
some light on the best means of combating
the California trouble, which has already
devastated thousands of flourishing vine
yards, causing losses almost beyond cslcu-
lation.
"The peach-yellows work is being prose-
cuted with vigo- along practically the same
line followed last year. Some important
results bearing on the treatment Of this dis
esse have been obtained. but as yet they
are not sufficiently conclusive to warrant
their publication.
Experiments have been made with the
use of hydrocyanic acid gas under tents as
a remedy for the red scale. In my last re-
port statement was made that the cost of
this remedy had been greatly reduced by
experiments made by one of the California
agents, and further experiments have de-
veloped means by which the process may
be easily rendered more efficecious and the
SADeilSc SILL AQItAc1 1SQuCcu
"The question of damage of grapes by
phylloxera in California has been taken up,
and certain vine-growing regions of the
State have been visited by an agent, who
is making tests and observations.
THE division has been appealed to with
reference to the possible danger of the inn
portation of the destructive Florida scale
insects in California, matter which has
attracted good deal OF attention the past
season in the latter State. 1t seems that
frequent accidental imp0rtatioDs of these
scales, particularly of the purple scale,
the long scale and chsf scale, have
been made, but in no case have the
insects become destructive. It is, there
fore, argued by many that the climate of
the Pacific coast is not favorable to their
increase, while others hold opposite views
and are much alarmed.
"The Department Etymologist is OF the
opinion that while there are some grounds
for the former belief, we cannot exercise
too much care in preventing the carrying
of these destructive scale insects from one
section of the world to another. We have,
therefore, been particularly careful to have
plants received from foreign countries, and
to be shipped to different States, carefully
disinfected before such shipment, a3 we
are very anxious that the department shall
not be the means of further disseminating
the obnoxious species. l earnestly recon-
mend that similar precautions be taken by
all nurserymen and horticulturists ship
ping plants to other States.
In view of the success that has attended
the importation of the Australian lady.
bird to prey upon fluted scale in California,
public attention has been specially drawn
to this manner of destroying the injurious
insects through the instrumentallty OF their
natural enemies but success in any in
stance is not likely to follow without most
complete and thorough and intelligent di-
reetion. The entomologists, fully realiz-
ing the importance of this question, have
made various efforts during the year, so far
as they can be made, with the assistance of
foreign correspondents, equally interested
in the subject, to important desired species,
and to reciprocating by sending others
abroad"
GENERAL NOTES.
Encouraging words are spoken with
reference to fax culture, Secretary Rusk
believing the recent changes in the tariff
on linens will serve to encourage manufact-
urers to provide market for homegrown
flax.
Irrigation and the artesian supply of
water are made the subject of special
reference.
Reference is made to the forthcoming
transfer of the Weather Bureau to the De-
partment of Agriculture, with declara-
ton of the Secretsry's desire to widen the
present scope of the bureau so as to increase
its benefits TO agriculture. He also strongly
insisted on the necessity for more fire.
quent representation of the department at
meetings of agricultural and kindred soci-
eties.
The possibility of serving the corn grow
ers thougnout the country by extending
the market for Indian corn in foreign coun-
tries has engaged the Secretary's attention,
with the result that he had appointed
special agent abroad having special quail
fcations for this duty, to investigate and
report upon the possibilities of promoting
the consumption of Indian corn in Eu-
ropean countries.
In concluding the report, he says: "a
careful review of the events of the past year,
and o general survey of the agricultural
field to-day, betokened marked improve
ment in the condition of our sgriculiurists
and promise well for their future we'll
being"
He ends by declaring that he looks for
ward with confidence Ito the time when in
the high quality of its work, as well as
in the magnitude OF its enterprise, the
agriculture of the United States shall not
only lead all other industries in this coun-
try, but shall be the leader in this great in
dustry of all other countries"