Evening journal., 1897-09-14
THE SAN JOSE SCALE.
Inspector Bancroft Gives Hor-
ticulturists Information.
ERADICATION OF TREES ADVISED

OUTLINE OF THE AFFECTED DIS
TRICT AND GENERAL NEWS of
THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE
IN THIS STATE.
State Inspector e. II. Bancroft has is
sued a catalogue of information regard
ing San Jose scale in Delaware. He
says;
The San Jose scale is the most dam
gerous and most destructive insect that
ever invaded Delaware.
IL is of recent introduction and has
been found in only few places in the
state.
1t is not known that it was ever
eradieated by treatment.
Hence the only safe way is to destroy
all trees on which it is found
The Delaware Legislature has pro-
vided for the hunting out OF this scale
in the state An inspector has been ap-
pointed whose duty 1t is Ito inspect
any nursery. orchard or orchards in
this state in which the insect known as
the San Jose scale is known or is be-
heved to exist" The inspection up to
this time shows that the scale exists in
some ten or twelve places In some of
these a hundred or more trees are in
tested, in others only a few, but in all
cases there is danger that the scale
may spread TO surrounding orchards.
In at least one or two cases the scale
has been exterminated by the destruc-
lion OF all the infested trees, and in
others the work OF determination Is
now in progress.
Every owner OF infested trees is face
TO face With a most serious state of af-
fairs This scale was introduced into
California some twenty years ago. AS
soon as its nature was discovered
prompt and vigorous measures were
taken to destroy it, and in a large
measure 1t is now under control in that
state, but only after many valuable or
cbards were Destroyed and many thou
sands 6i d6llars were spent in finding
and applying remedies.
The remedies that are effective in
California are failure here.
We muse discover new remedies.
Spraying with whale oil soap is effec-
tive in keeping it in check. but the most
thorough spraying with whale oil soap
has not yet succeeded in exterminating
1t in any place in this state. Enough
scales are left so that by the end Of the
following season the trees are again
badly infested. This spraying must b'
done in the Winter when the trees arr
dormant. and even then the fruit buds
are largely destroyed so that the crOl
for the next year is cut off.
Therefore the cheapest, best and onl
safe way is 10 destroy every infested
tree This is a hardship, but it Is
trifing matter to-day compared to wha
il will be five years hence If this Cours
Is not taken.
Two years ago one man in Delawar
cut out all trees that were then fOun
to be infested, but no further eXamina
ton was made until last Fall, whe
from 200 to 300 trees were found {
have some scale upon them. Thes
were thoroughly sprayed with whal
oil soap. To-day these same trees ar
swarming with young scale and viii
before cold weather be as badly en-
crusted over as they we're last yea
and no doubt many other trees will be
come infested.
In another case, where the trees hav
been untreated. the scales have multi
Piled until now the fruit is cOnspcu
ously spotted by the presence Of th
scale and is evidently unfit for marke
This is a young orchard Of Keiffers {
400 trees. The owner has decided I
cut out all infested trees.
To attempt to treat the trees is e,
pensiye, unsatisfactory. unsafe
This insect attacks the apple. pea
peach, apricot. plum, cherry, Quinc
grape, raspberry, blackberry, goes,
p berry. currant and persimmOn anon
fruits; and a wide range of shade tire,
nj fa1 MD in, 10
5 BY ehanceiit is lodged upon any plaI
or tree it has the choice of only Nv
things-to live on that plant or di,
and starvation has taught it to live c
u almost anything that furnishes sap.
WHAT TO DO.
81 II you have this scale on your pla,
. you want to know it. II you are n.
familiar with its appearance it will a
most surely escape your notice
.s.-..,s So far as yet traced the scale in DE
aware was introduced from two nu
series in New Jersey; William Par
OF Parry, n. j., and the J. T. Love
Company, of Little Silver. n. J. If "
have received trees that came fro
eiher of the aboye within years fro
1888 to 1894 there is danger that "
have scale. But it is known that 9th
nufSefltS uolnB business IN DeldWd
have been infested. and no young tire
are sure to be free from it wherev
found. II you have any suspicio
trees, especially any from New iJerse
send at once TO Wesley Webb Dow,
Delaware, who will visit your pla,
make a careful examination, and
case the scale is found will give
needed information or directions abo
exterminating the same.
All suspected cases should be repoi
ed without delay, and twigs or pieC
OF bark OF trees supposed 10 be, or ev
suspected of being infested, should
sent to Mr. Webb for his examinatiC
No trees should this year be pu
chased from any source without a qua
antee that they have been fumigated
n otherwise treated 90 as to insure the d
slruction of the scale.