The Hawaiian gazette., 1894-03-16

ANiSSSOA hOtUtlS, has
undertaken the gigantic task of rid
ding the islands of the blights that,
without such action, would in few
years so injure the trees of the group
that they would be practically worth
less.
Professor koebele says he will rid
the islands of these pests in three
years. He has just returned from a
| trip to the other islands of the group,
where he has carefully inspected the
different parasites that are preying on
30 many of our trees.
1.-The PulrinariG PSidi is the most
prevalent blight in the group said
the Professor yesterday. at attacks
everything. In North Kona, as far
as one can see, the black appearance
Of this scale can be seen on the guava
forests. This black appearance is the
Fumdgo Salicind, and is always the
evidence of the scale. Although this
pest does not kill the trees or bushes
on which it is found, it ssps their vi
tality, and prevents them from bear
ing. The coffee tree is one of its favor
lite dwelling places, and in very short
time, if it is not eradicated, it would
seriously affect the coffee industry.
"a number of the scales that are
here do not appear in California, and
rice versa. This is also the case 10.
cally. On Oahu there are a Number
of the pests that have not mGde their
appearance on any of the other ISL
audS. This is due to the strong restric-
tons placed on the shipment Of plants
to the other islands. This rule is
strictly enforced The black and the
red scale of California are here and are
doing considerable harm. The latter
i hurtful only to citrus trees.
The Rhi-OcOccUS, a scale that only
made its appearance here two years
ago, is one of the most dangerous that
| have seen. 1t has not reached the
other islands as yet, but it attacks al
most anything on this island. 1t is
impossible TO say just how many diff
'ersnt kinds of blight there are here,
bat | should say about thirty, and
possibly more.
Professor koebele leaves in the next
steamer for Australia, where he will
spend about six months in collecting
insects that are enemies TO the local
pests. Then he will go to China,
Japan, and India, and will send more
scale destroyers for our benefit. There
are already six species of lady bugs, |
and two kinds of moths here which |
have been set at liberty and are doing |
effective duty.
The work of collecting the bugs is
an arduous task. Thousands have to |
be shipped by every steamer, all of |
which must be collected within a /
week of the day of sailing, as other
wise they would die before they could |
reach here. Professor kOebele does
all the work himself, not trusting it
TO anyone else.
The great majority of the scale of
the Islands has been introduced here
from other countries. Most of them
came years ago, and in later times
only a few species have been brought.
There is only one kind of scale that
attacks the sugar cane. 1t is called
the mealy-buI, and does not kill the
cane, but greatly weakens it.
The eucalyptus tree is not attacked
by any parasite in this country, said
Professor kOebele, "but in Australia
there is big caterpillar, eight OH nine
inches long, that bores holes up and
down the trunk and completely ruins
the tree. The natives eat these cater
pillars with great avidity."
Professor koebele was the di-cov-
erer of the Teddlid Cardinals, the
great enemy of the cottony cushion
scale that has played such havoc with
California orchards, and was here in
great quantities few years ag'. For
the discovery of this little bu. the
State Board of Horticulture OF Cali
IOrnia presented the scientist with IA
very valuable watch and chain, with
a charm on which is an enlarged rep
of the VeddLid Cdrdi-
nails, in enamel.