The herald., 1897-10-21
The "Mexican Orange Worm"


OF late there has been considerable
discussion a. to the probable introduce
tion of the Mexican orange worm into
this state. The state board OF hortlcul- :
ture has taken all precautions possible
to prevent its introduction. All ship
ments of fruit arriving in this state will
be thoroughly inspected before being al
lowed to land, and if any fruit should be
found infected by this pest 1t Will be
promptly destroyed.
The quarantine officer OF the board,
Alexander Craw, has been instructed to
take every precaution to prevent the In
PRODUCTION of this pest.
William Sproule, the assistant general
freight manager of the Southern Pacific
company, representing Mr.. Smurr, was
consulted, and discussed the matter very
fully. He said he was willing to CO.
operate with the state board of horti-
culture as far as they can. He, however,
Is in doubt as to our or their right to in
terfere with the cars In transit, as it
might come under the interstate COM
merce law, and cited an eastern case
bearing on the subject. He also dis
cussed the question as to their liability
as common carrier for any detention or
interference with cars or freight turned
over to them from other companies, and
that such freight could not be returned
without the consent Of the connecting
Nnes. Particular etress was placed
upon the danger to the great citrus fruit
industry of the state by the introduc-
tion of such q pest, and its effect upon
the revenue Of the transportation COM
panies, all of which Mr.. Sproule con-
CURED in, and he remarked that they
were fully alive to the Importance Of
keeping out all pests, and desired to CO.
operate with us. Mr. Sproule promised
to place the matter before the legal de-
partment of the company for immediate
consideration, and will inform the board
O. to their opinion in a few days.
A fruit dealer of Los Angeles, inter-
ested in the Mexican orange trade, in an
indignant letter to the Nogales Oasis
asserts that this orange pest has al
ready secured a lodgment in Southern
California. This statement is without
foundation, as the California insect is
the larva of small tortricid moth, and
not one orange in thousand is attacked
by It. 1t only pierceS the rind and never
enters the pulp. The Mexican orange
worm is the larva of fly and enters
the pulp.
The Mexican orange worm is reported
to be confined to two states south of the
City of Mexico. In answer to a tele-
gram sent to DIR. L. o. Howard. United
States entomologist by the quarantine
officer, aking IL this pest is known to
exist in any other state in Mexico, DR.
Howard replied: mo certain knowl-
edge, except Morales and Puebla, bu.
must occur elsewhere. Investigating
now" Both these states are south and
southeast Of the City OF Mexico and ad-
join each other.
Mr.. Sproule said that no oranges have
been brought to California by rail for
two or three years past, and only those
from the extreme northwestern state of
Sonora Mexican oranges are shipped
to Chicago and other northern cities
from the end Of October until Decem-
ber or January, and go by way Of Eagle
pass or Ell Paso, Texas.
The general freight and passenger
agent of the Mexican Central railway
has been communicated with, request
ing him to notify their shippers not to
make any shipments Of citrus fruits to
any point in California, for in the even:
? of the fruit being infected with the
Mexican orange worm" it will be i'm.
mediately destroyed, and that such no.
tification will prevent any misunder-
standing and loss to their patrons. HIS
attention was also called to the magni.
tude Of the citrus industry of California
and the well-grounded alarm of tht
IN 40 0f i,,f,
such a pest into their orchards.
The orange growers of the state car
rest assured that every precaution will
be taken by the state board of horticul-
ture to prevent the introduction of this
pest, and If 1t Is found in transit, drastic
measures will be adopted to stamp II
out. irrespective of interstate commerce
law, and the courts can decide the ques-
tion afterward.
A meeting of county horticultural
commissioners has been called to meet
at Sacramento on November 18th, for
consultation and to take concerted ac.
ton to prevent the introduction of this
and other orchard pests into the state
By converting at Sacramento at the
time fixed. they will have the advice OF
the attorney general, the state quaran.
tine officer and experts on matters Of
law, quarantine, etc., and can attend the
sessions Of the state convention of fruit
growers November 10th to 10Th. Super.
visors of fruit growing counties should
see to it that their horticultural commits
sioners attend the convention These
sessions they will find profitable, and il
IL expected that every fruit growins
,txy he afoI
Our Roads
Prof. Whitney OF the department Of
: agriculture, Washington, d. c., drove &
week or two ago from Pomona to Clare
mont. In the first half hour after his
arrival he spoke no less than six time.