The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-04-17

The Fruit Industry Of the Potomac aud
Ohio Valley In West Virginia Threat
cned by the San Jose or Per-
nici0us Scale.

The San jose or pernieious scale.
one OF the worst fruit tree pests
known, was widely distributed on
nursery stock from Perry and Little
Silver, New jersey, and possibly other
eastern points between 1892 and 1898.
1t was introduced in this manner into
a number of sectionsi in West Virginia:
but IT appears from recent obserya-
tions that there is only limited area
in the state where there is serious
danger OF its becoming established. All
of that portion of the state including
and lying west of the Allegheny
mountains which exceeds an elevation
of 1000 feet above tide. and that por-
tion east OF the mountains that con-
tains exceeding an elevation of 500
feet will doubtless be exempt from
serious damage by the pest. But that
portion lying below these elevations,
owing to favorable climatic condi-
tions, is in danger of becoming inya-
ded by it. Especially is this so in
Berkeley and Jefferson counties, and
In the counties bordering on the Ohio
river. In these counties every tree or
shrub coming from eastern nurseries.
or purchased of an agent and set out
since 1892 should be carefully examin-
ed by owners Of such trees, or by some
one in each neighborhood; and il the
bark ON any part Of the plant has a
dirty appearance, as If covered with
fly specks, or any other unnatural con-
dition Of the bark is found indicating
the presence of the scale, specimens
should be sent at once to the experi-
ment station for Identification.
This insect will infest all kinds of
shrubs and trees and even herbaceous
plants. 1t is. therefore, plain, that if
1T is allowed to spread from the trees
upon which it was introduced and be-
comes established on wild shrubs and
forest trees, its eradication will be
impossible.
A strong effort is being made by
horticulturists and entomologists to
secure national legislation to prevent
further distribution of the pest on
nursery stock. Therefore, in order to
derive the full benefit of such legisla-
tion, every locality in which it has
been introduced must be determined,
and every effort made to eradicate ii
before 1t gets beyond control.
This is a matter of vital Importance
as bearing upon the future OF the fruit
industry of the counties mentioned:
and should claim the earnest atten-
tion, not only of every fruit grower,
but every public spirited person with
In the threatened sections. 1t Is also
subject in which the experiment
station can render valuable service,
both 10 identifying the true San
Jose Scale from a number of other
common scale insects, and 10 giving
information with reference TO the
best methods of Graduating 1t. If the
fruit growers win do their part in
carefully examining their trees, and
sending us specimens of bark or twigs
infected with anything resembling a
scale inject, we will do our part in
Identifying the specimens and giving
information, and when necessary, will
visit infested orchards and give per-
sonal instructions in the application
of remedies. A. ID. HOPKINS.
Entomologist, West Va. Agricultural
Experiment Station.
April 10, 1897.