Los Angeles herald., 1891-01-09
ABOUT BUGS.
HORTICULTURAL COMMISSIONERS
ADDRESS THE SUPERVISORS.
Proceedings of the Board Yesterday.
The Present Status of the Scale
Bug Question.

day and transacted considerable routine
business.
1t was deemed advisable to readver-
tise for bids for repairing the new bridge
at Azusa.
Judge Owens sent in communication
notifying the board that he had ap-
pointed +. w. Kenzie as his clerk. The
clerk of the board was instructed to in
form Judge Owens that the county was
not paying for clerks of Justices court.
The board decided to visit the old
salt works at Redondo, on January 14th.
The bid of Ledbetter for the Azusa and
White Oak creek bridges was accepted.
The following, from the horticultural
commission, has been received by the
supervisors
Los ANGELES, December 81, 1890.
| To the Honorable Board of Supervisors. Los An
| geles county, California:
During the month of December the
members of the horticultural commission
and their inspectors have been very busy.
Ihe planting season, just opening, ne
cessitates great activity and vigilance on
the part of all. We have found it neces-
sary to appoint several additional in
spectors, and during the winter and
spring months the expense of the COM
mission will be somewhat increased.
Frequent tours of inspection made by
the commissioners during the month
have tended to strengthen our conviction
OF the utter futility of depending upon
any OF the parasites we now have
to- keep down the different scales
that infest both our citrus and
deciduous trees. We hear every few
days of new parasite that is cleaning
out" certain scale; we Immediately
visit the locality and find either one Of
the old parasites with which we are we'll
acquainted or else nothing. The man
has seen them, but can't find one to
show us, and can't find any of their work
either. Like will-O'-the-wisps these new
found, beneficial parasites vanish at our
approach. We are doing all in our
power to convince the people of this
state OF affairs, and that they must help
themselves and not wait for Providence
or parasites if they hope to succeed.
Slowly but surely public sentiment is
moulding In this direction. the press is
now showing disposition to help
and support us, and good results
results are now plainly seen in a
disposition to clean up and give better
| care to orchards in every direction: es-
pecially are we glad to note this in the
great San Gabriel valley. We regret to
note the importation OF trees from in
tested districts in the eastern states.
Large importations' of peach trees are
being made from districts which have
been devastated by a disease called "yel-
| lows" This disease is constitutional,
and like the disease OF the vines we have
here, has never been successfully COM
bated. Trees infested with peach borer
are also being brought in from Alabama
and Missouri. We have taken all the
precautions in our power, and done and
will continue to do all that the law al
lows, but the law is lamentably weak.
I'VE have not hesitated, as last resort,
to warn the people through the bress
and otherwise, Of the presence of these
new dangers, and of the risk they run in
planting these new trees. We can fight
the scale on Florida citrus trees with the
hydro-cyanic acid gas, but neither gas
nor wash will help us with the "yel-
lows" and very little with the "peach
borer."
We shall take further steps in the
matter OF warning the people, and
would call your attention to the fact,
that our expenses are increased by the
action OF the parties who are importing
this dangerous eastern stock.
The good work of clearing the lots in
Pasadena of dead and dying trees goes
steadily on, and very marked improve
ment is already visible.
The secretary of the commission has
prepared bulletin on the subject of
manures and the fertilization of orchards.
which we wish to publish and mail to
all orchardists in the county. The bull
letin strongly urges the ecessity of bet
ter fertilization of our orchards, and the
absolute necessity of more liberal and
intelligent use of manures in order to
produce the best results. The subject
is dealt with. as commercial PROPOSE
ton, and positive proof is given, that it
pays well to manure heavily. The
chemical constituents and value of diff
ferent manures are then given, and ad-
vice as to kinds best suited, time to ap-
ply and mode of application. From the
number of starving trees we note in this
country, we believe this bulletin will be
of the greatest service to our fruit
growers. Respectfully submitted,
GEO. j. MITCHELL, Secretary.