The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-05
FRUIT GROWERS IN SESSION.
Continued from Eighth Page)

to the eastern part of the United States
by the importation of scale infested stock
from California to New Jersey, being GER
tain varieties of japanese plums. 1t was
discovered in Virginia after the state had
become thoroughly infected. The depart
ment of agriculture at Washington under
took to stamp out the scale. but without
success. In 1896 the legislature adopted
the San Jose scale law for dealing with
this pest These scales are produced alive
by the parent scale at the rate of four
to six a day for from thirty to forty days.
and the young scale begins to produce in
about thirty days. They continue to re-
produce until cold weather. On this ac-
count an estimate has been made by a
distinguished entomologist that the
progeny of a single scale in a single sea-
son, If allowed to produce uninterrupted
ly, will amount to the enormous sum of
S,4160S0 900. The female scale remain sta
tionary after once settling down. The
male acquires wings and fly about These
scales will crawl upon ants, beetles and
the feet of birds and in this way the scale
is spread. Fruit pickers distribute the
scale by carrying it upon their hands and
clothing.
1.-The most fruitful source of dissemina-
ton has been and will continue to be the
nurseries," Prof. Atwood said. In the
nurseries the scale crawl from one plant
to another and are thus distributed far
and wide throughout the country. not
knowingly by the nurserymen but un-
knowingly. The scale are produced so
rapidly that efforts for its determination
must be begun Immediately on discovery
if the orchard Is to be saved. The re-
suit of experiments for the destruction of
the scale was given. strong solution Of
fish oil soap has been found effective, but
does not completely eradicate the scale.
Kerosene emulsion has been used but will
IL ~ fr.an
but there is danger TO the plant in this
Pure kerosene has been used, but the re-
suits have not been determined. The
best plan, Prof. Atwood said, was to
grub up the trees and burn them
If it should be possible, Prof. Atwood
said, that Prof. Ralph's discovery of
fungus enemy of the scale disease should
prove effective, it would make his name
famous as long as fruits are grown but
he was very much afraid that this would
not be the case. This scale attacks such
a wide list of trees that If 1t once obtains
a hold upon the forests of the country
it will be with the fruit growers of the
country as long as fruit is grown. new
scale, known as the new peach scale, or
Persian scale. which is very dangerous TO
peach and plum trees, was described and
methods of determination given.
Another peach enemy known as the
peach maggot which prevails in Ber-
muda, was described. The eggs are laid in
the fruit, where the young develop and
destroy the fruit.
Prof. Won Henf mentioned an instance
of the successful eradication Of the san
Jose scale by the gas treatment at South
ern Pines last May.
Prof. Atwood replied that the gas treat
ment had proved a failure in the treatment
of orchards in Virginia, the results prov
ing that the scale were destroyed for one
season oT<S.
Some twigs brought in by Mr.. Paul Le-
Hardy of the Persian purple plum were
submitted to Prof. Atwood, who said that
the twigs were affected by two varieties
of scale, one of which closely resembled
the San Jose scale, and would certainly
destroy the tree, sooner or later. 1t was
important, he said, that the park and tree
commission should be watchful lest these
scales should take hold upon and destroy
the trees of the streets and parks.
A gentleman from Irwin county submit
ted a plum twig which Prof. Atwood
promptly pronounced to be one of the
worse cases of San Jose scale he had
ever seen. This almost produced stam-
pede in the convention and the delegates
crowded forward to view the diseased
twigs.
This instance satisfied the members That
the San Jose scale does prevail to
greater or less extent in Georgia and that
the fruit growers have a dangerous enc
my to fight.
The discussion of the preventive meas
ures to be taken against the San Jose
scale was reserved until the night session
when Prof. Atwood read a paper, giving
his experience in dealing with the scale
in Virginia. His experience showed the
scale to be a most difficult enemy TO deal
with and his conclusion was that the only
sure means or eradication was TO dig up
Al Cd nd BlHnf2
In nurseries could be successfully disin-
fected by means of hydrocyanic gas, ne
said but this had not proved successful
in the open air except to the extent OF
greatly reducing the ravages of the pest.
He advocated legislation both state ana
national, to provide for the Inspection OF
nurseries and orchards. TO prevent the
shipment Of diseased plants and TO pro-
vide for the treatment and destruction OF
diseased orchards.
This subject was discussed at some
length and the president was Instructed
TO appoint a committee Of seven, Of which
he should be a member, TO take the ques-
ton of legislation unde consideration.
The convention will meet this morning
at o o'clock sharp There is great deal
vet to come before the convention ana as
this will probably be the only session To-
day the effort will be made TO get over as
much ground as possible. The following
programme has been pIepdIcN'
The society will assemble at a. m.
Reports Of special committees.
Election OF officers.
Time and place OF next meeting.
Fssay-"The Adaptation Of Fruits and
other Foods 20 Climate" by X. 7. john
son. Smithville.
Essay-"sman Fruit Novelties" by H.
n. Starnes, Experiment
Essay-"Gathering and Marketing
strawberry Crops" by I. ]. Leinbach,
Rossvlle.
Essay-"Is the lie Conte Pear a Failure"
by j. y. Wight Cairo.
Essay-'Irrigatlon for Small Fruit" by
Charles Deckncr, Atlanta.
The members OF the society Will leave
the city by the 2.30 train FOR Tyboe, whore
they will spend the remainder OF the day
AZ night they will be entertained with
fish supper az the Hotel Tybee.
The display OF fruits az the Guards han
Is "a most attractive one. Ia point Of the
number Of varieties exhibited ana the char
acter OF the specimens the display is said
10 bee the best ever made at "a meeting Of
the society. Prof. Atwood who has seen
a number Of these exhibits IN other states
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