The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-30
The San JOSE SCALE.
WILMINGTON INFESTED WITH
THE DESTRUCTIVE PEST.


The Discovery Was Made by Professor Nc.
Carthy, the State EntOmol"gist. Yester-
day-Ihe Insect Makes u Clean Sweep Of
Orchards.
Professor Gerald Mccarthy, Of Ra-
leigh, state botanist n entomologist,
was fn Wilmington yesterday.
In view of the discovery that the
s'San Jose Scale" has made it's appear
ance in North Carolina, the general as
sembly at it's recent session passed an
act creating "a commission for the ex-
Termination OF noxious insects, fungus
diseases and weeds which are affect
Ing many crops" The act names the
state commissioner Of agriculture, the
director OF the North Carolina agricul-
tural experiment station, and the pres
ident Of the North Carolina state Hor-
ticultural Society as the commission.
The commission appointed Professor
Mccarthy it's agent to examine the
several nurseries in the state, as well
as all fruit trees and other trees grow
1hS III ~
hands Of common carriers or elsewhere,
and he is travelling through the state
to carry out the of the COM
mission.
In conversation with a Messenger re-
preventative at The orion yesterday,
PROFESSOR Mccarthy stated that he
visited a great many premises in Will
mington and hat in every yard where
fruit trees were growing he found the
destructive San Jose scale" He also
says he found it in the nurseries and
orchards up the Wilmington and We'll
don railroad and generally throughout
the eastern part Of the state. For that
matter, he informs Us that the blight
is found throughout the state, and that
it is a grave menace to the future of
orchard culture in the state.
1t is not only found in small commu-
mites but is widespread all over the
state. 1t has already destroyed several
valuable orchards in the central part
Of the state and has ravaged several
nurseries in the eastern section.
FROM Professor NCCdTtny we ledTn
that the San Jose scale'' is Of recent
Introduction into North Carolina. hav-
ing been discovered in some sections
OF the state about a year ago. 1t is an
insect or parasite and it is deadly to
fruit trees. attacking them generally
IN this order: Pear trees. plum trees.
peach trees, apple trees, cherry trees,
rose bushes, etc. 1t will totally destroy
a tree in from three to foul years and
will max fruit culture impossible in
Carolina. if it is not stamped
out. 1t is for this reason that the COM
was established by the general
assembly.
Professor Mccarthy advises that no
trees whatever be planted until
the pest Is stamped out Of existence.
The parasite or insect is carried from
one tree to mother by the wind, by the
feet of birds, and by other insects. He
says radical measures should be taken
once in Wilmington and suggests
the most decisive action should be
promptly taken by our city authorities.
The San Jose scale" was first dis
in the nurseries of Mr.. James
Lick, at San Jose, Cal, hence it's name.
1t is supposed to have been introduced
from Chilli. 1t attacks the limbs and
bodies Of the trees and is certain de-
if not eradicated. The para
site adheres to a limb and multiplies so
prodigously that the limb soon assume
a scaly appearance. The male and
when young pass the winter
a waxy scale. About the time
the peach buds begin to swell they come
and resume their growth, which is
soon completed. The female gives birth
TO its young instead of laying eggs n
each produces at the rate Of two dozen
young a day. Starting with a single
in the spring we may have at
the End Of the fourth brood 5000, 600, 900
Professor Mccarthy says the scale
not dangerous to human life but 1t
makes q clean sweep of fruit trees. The
can be ascertainad upon appli-
cation to Professor Mccarthy, at Ra-
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