The morning call., 1892-03-07
I'm AND ABOUT NILES.

Result of the Steady Warfare on the
Scale.
Correspondence of THE MORNING CALL
There has recently been considerably dis
cussion among horticulturists as to the scale
bug, and many believe that 1t has run its
course, and will in time depart. 1t is not in
the economy of nature that any one pest
should continue its ravages indefinitely, and
from close inspection of orchards In this
vicinity, and from occasional interviews
with observing fruit men. 1t seems not i'm
probable, that the worst is over. and that,
given time, the pest may, in measure, sub
side.
For the past four years there has been
most systematic spraying of all orchards
hereabouts, and without doubt the several
scale enemies have been destroyed at the
same time, thus il has hardly been possible
to Judge of the extent of their usefulness.
Different bugs, In fact hall dozen dIHerent
varieties OF scale-eaters, three or lour OF
them, said to he the true Australian lady
birds, have been brought into the valley
from time to time, ana fully as many more
insects, that have evidently made their ap-
pearaDce in the course OF nature, nave Deen
busy the past two seasons In the unequal
warfare But what real coed they have
done 1t would be impossible to tell. 1t Is,
however, true, that taken generally, the
trees are much freer from smut. that the
first Matching OF scale were not nearly so
numerous this season, and the second hatch
ing has been even less.
While this is generally true. there are one
or two orchards among the last TO be
attacked that are even worse this year than
last, which, perhaps. but proves the first
assertion, that this pest, which has cost the
0rchardists vast sum the past three years.
has about run its course. ACUTE lengthy
discussions are held from time to time
upon the efficacy Of different washes
in different sections. or even in the same
neighbnrhood, upon different varieties oil
trees, which but resolves itself into the fol-
lowing: What will kill one kind of scale
vii! not hurt another, and all varieties Of
trees are not affected by the same kinds Of
scale, as rule.
Mrs. c. b. Overacker has been appointed
one of the Alameda County Ladies' Worlds
Fair Commissioners, and has already COM
menced her pleasant duties. Although the
association has been organized for nearly a
year, there has not been single exhibit
until the last week, when several exhibits
of citrus fruits, ETC., have been placed on
display iD the commttee-rooms on Eighth
street. Oakland; and TO Niles belongs the
honor of the first exhibits ard the only ones
so far. j. Shinn has sent some fine speci-
mems of citrus fruits, and j. L. Thane box
Of choice dried pruneS. Mrs Overacker
intends to systematically work up dis
play from this valley that shall be an honor
W liic COuutI'
1t is astonishing what ignorance is shown
by even 0akianders, concerning the vast
resources OF their own county. For ln-
stance, Mrs. Overacker took TO the last
meeting of the Commissioners quantities of
the almond blossoms and was asked re-
peatedly, why, do they raise almonds in
this c0unty?" For reply 1t might be well
to say that the labor bill fer harvesting
them alone annually reaches from $500 to
$1,000 each season in this one district In
fact, it is one Of the most valuable indus
tries in the valley. Almonds will not -four
ish everywhere, and hence land which Will
produce them will always retain a perma-
nent value. 1t is not too high an estimate
to say that the value Of the almond orchards
in this county alone reaches 81 LOCO GEO.
About $1,000 worth OF almonds were shipped
from Niles alone last season.
Postmaster Dickey succeeded in collect
ing quite a sum TO plant the shade trees
along the streets Of our town. and another
year Will prove what an addition they are
The State Fish Con .missioners each year
place several thousand small fish in Ala
media Creek and ITS tributaries until 1t is
becoming quite well stocked. Several large
salmon have been caught lately.
Niles, March g. Mrs. L. L. THANE.