The herald., 1893-09-11
WHAT BECAME OF THOSE BUGS 2.
Colonies Of Prof. Kocbele's
Scale Parasites Lost.
Some Statements of General Inter
est to HOrticulturists.
Prof. Koebole Reported Having Sent
tho Bugs Here. Now What Was
Done With Them-Later
Phases of the Matter.


ceived by the HERALD from fruit grow
ers and orchardists, both citrus and
deciduous, who are anxious to know
what has been done up to this time for
ridding the country of the threatening
ravages OF the scale pest, and particu-
larly Of the purple scale, which is show
ing a healthy growth around Downey
and towards Whittier. the HERALD can
report progress.
A former inspector has very choice
collection of the purple scale on fruit
trees near the former place and has fur
nished the supervisors with several ex-
cellent specimens. A slight investiga-
ton regarding this particular scale,
which Mr.. Alexander Draw, state en-
tomologist, says is the worst of all the
pests, has been made, and Commissioner
Scott has aroused himself long enough
to say in brief report filed with the
supervisors August 28th that "the pur-
pie scale was imported on Florida trees
four and one-half years ago, and at that
time nursery stock was admitted without
inspection. Yet the record is in evidence
that the county has had in its employ
men who have promptly drawn liberal
salaries as commissioners and inspect
ors for more than eight years. Is this
then the measure of the information
and satisfaction fruit growers and tax
payers are to get from its salaried Of
ficials? II go there is but one thing
to do. 5g
The HERALD has been informed of
another feature which Mr.. Scott omit
ted to state: This injurious scale was
introduced in Los Angeles county on
atock imported and sold by one of the
horticultural commissioners. The
commissioner was promptly removed.
but the mischief was done, and its pres
ence has been costly thing ever since.
Some high salaried dry bones evil
IDENTIFY need to be jolted up little
lively. About 100000 in tax money
has gone into this hole and the hole is
still there.
The HERALD is still of the opinion
that the supervisors will open this scale
pest question and inquire into the mat
ter for the purpose of ascertaining the
cause of all the anxiety in the minds of
fruit-growere which is 30 frequently
finding expression of late. The board
has certainly been furnished with facts
enough by the HERALD to make very
interesting story. Not only 30 in re-
gard to the purple scale, but also the
red and black scale and the orcus chaly-
beus, the predaceous parasite discov-
cred by Professor Koebele in his recent
Investigations in Australia.
Professor Koebele represented the
department of agriculture in Washing.
ton, and acting in conjunction with the
state board of horticulture, secured
large numbers OF beetles which feed on
black scale and sent them to Los Ange-
les from Australia in the summer OF
1892. The professor says in his report
to tho secretary If agriculture that
these beetles were not liberated at that
or apparently any other time.
People, especially the owners of
orange groves and deciduous fruit
orchards, are beginning to be trife
curious in regard to this peculiar tran
ssction and want to know more about it.
They will not rest satisfied until it is
known who received these beetles and
what became Of them--if they were not
liberated. why?
An official inquiry will no doubt set
much of this uncertainty at rest and
properly adjust responsibilities. Failing
in this, an unofficial inquiry will per-
haps be productive OF considera BILE
good. There is certainly an element at
work against the interests of fruit
growers which breads the light OF open
and fair dealing, and doing its worst to
thwart every effort made by Professor
Koeble and the state board of horticul-
ture undertaken in scientific manner
and at great cost to rid the fruit trees of
California of their greatest enemies.
The growers Of fruit all over the state
are well satisfied with what the state
board of horticulture has done and is
doing in their behalf, but have no pa
tience with or respect for this class of
make-beiieve fruit growers who are
masquerading under false colors. The
HERALD has at various times Of late
copied articles from papers in distant
portions of the state showing daily how
the public estimates this unseemly fac
tous snarl, while the bugs go right on
increasing under the very noses Of the
commissioners and inspectors.
To refer back little: Professor Co.
quillett is the only one in Los Angeles
representing the agricultural DEPART
ment, hence the only one to receive the
numerous shipments OF beetles Professor
Koebele reports having sent; the
state board had no agent here,
but announced at divers times
having sent colonies of beetles
to Professor Coquillett by Wells, Fargo,
and otherwise.s Some of these insect0,
it ia alleged. were left in the express
Office several days. In all some 5000 to
5000 insects which prey upon the black
scale were sent to California, the larger
portion to Los Angeles. Where did
they get to? Every steamer brought
them, and had they been properly dis
tributed and cared for every orchard in
Southern California would have it's
allotment of the millions of increase
sufficient to rid them of every scale,
red or black.
Professor Koebele also states in his
report that he received back from Mr..
Coquillett number Of HE beetles as
alcoholic specimens. A bulletin issued
by the state board of horticulture in
1892 also stated that the same gentle
man had impaled many OF these in
sects and preserved them as specimens.
If 60, why?
Prof. Coquillett is quoted ss.having
denied to reporter of city paper of
even having received any of the beetles
from Mr.. Koebele. He is also said to
have the same statement to Mr.. Scott
Chapman, prominent San Gabriel
fruit grower.
These same insects sent to Mr.. ELL
wood Cooper, at Santa Barbara. were