Los Angeles herald., 1890-06-06
HORTICULTURAL.
MONTHLY REPORT OF THE BOARD
OF COMMISSIONERS.
What Has Been Done to Rid the
County of the Scale Bug.

The county board OF horticultural
commissioners yesterday presented theil
report for May to the board of super
visors, as follows:
In the matter of imported orange
stock from Florida, Mr.. Mitchell, by in
struction of this commission, has given
his personal attention to every detail
and enforced strict quarantine against
every car received, the contents in each
instance being found infected with in
sect pests. The quarantine was only
raised after the trees were thoroughly
disinfected, remained intact for two
weeks, again inspected, and found free
from insect pests.
With the exception of one car, now
presumably en- route, there will be no
further receipts of Florida stock until
next fall.
With your kind approval, we re-
quested Professor Coquillette, United
States entomologist, to make a special
inspection of Florida trees that had been
planted out one and two years in Po-
mona, Riverside and other localities,
and report to us, if in his opinion, Flor
ida insect pests will flourish in this
| climate.
AS the result of his observations and
interviews with other parties, Professor
Coquillette gives it as his candid opinion
that were any Of the Florida scales to be
introduced into a large, growing orange
tree where they would be in a great
measure protected from the direct rays
of the sun, that they would then con-
tinue to live and multiply in any por-
ton of Southern California where orange
trees can be successfully grown, an
opinion concurred in by DR.. Clafin, of
Riverside, who spent several months in
Florida last winter investigating the
scale insects there.
1t is the sense of this commission that
the insects being introduced into the
county on Florida trees are dangerous
and injurious to the fruit interests of the
county. and we feel justified in the Wig
orous measures we have taken to prevent
the spread OF the pests; and we deem it
OF the utmost Importance that in the
future the greatest care should be expe-
rienced to prevent the introduction of
the pests into the county.
! We take great pleasure in rendering to
you report of our personal inspection
of the orange orchards in Alhambra, San
Gabriel, Lamanda Park and Duarte dur
ing the past month. The condition OF
the orchards in these localities, and all
others in the San Gabriel valley, during
the last three or four years has been
lamentable and alarming on account OF
the presence of the red scale insect.
As the result of our inspection, we can
report that throughout this valley the
red scale has become almost annihilated,
probably 95 per cent. being destroyed by
some agency, the origin of which cannot
as yet be determined. As the result of
this blessing, orange growing has taken
a new impetus, and the growers are in a
happy and hopeful mood.
We found the larvae of the twice
stabbed lady-bird and the lace-wing fly
in vast numbers, greater than ever be-
fore.
Both of these parasites are known to
prey upon the red scale, although not
contining themselves entirely to this
means of sustenance; still, appearing
in such numbers, we naturally conclude
that they have very materially aided in
reducing the red scale insect.
The months OF July and August will
determine as to the permanency of the
disappearance Of this pest, and until
such time, on account Of the danger O.
destroying existing parasites of the
white and red scale, this commission
deems it their duty not to order spray
ing of orchards in the San Gabriel val
ley.
Outside this district there are local.
ties where disinfection can be pursued by
the fruit-grower without detriment, as
parasites OF the prevailing pests are no
present in sufficient numbers as yet tt
accomplish desirable results.
We, however, feel that grave mistakes
have been made in spraying, and advise
in all cases where it is possible that tht
gas treatment of infected trees be used
This treatment, when intelligently ap
piled, will bring the best results with
less expense to the orchardist.
We also desire to report that the
uedolia cardinals is present in sutficien
numbers in the county to quiet all fears
as to the temperance of the whit,
scale in quantities injurious to frui
trees.
The number of inspectors has been re
duced to four, each one of whom at pres
ent is doing necessary and effectiv
work. We have in contemplation still
further reduction of this force, with
view of giving more of our personal at
tention to inspections, that we may &C
more intelligently and promptly. Re
spectfully submitted.
A. F. Kercheval, president, George
Mitchell, F. Edward Gray, county hort
cultural commission.
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