The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-12-16
The Orange Caterpillar

I have now heard of this insect in ev-
cry county of Southern California but
two Mr.. Crow and Mr.. John Scott. both
very competent authorities, inform me
that they have known the insect here
for about twenty years. Mr.. Scott says
he has known it much worse than he has
observed it this year. The scare about
the Mexican orange maggot has quick
ened observation, and people have
scanned closely and so have noted the
few oranges-hardly more than one In
1000-that has the puncture and the
larvae. Mr.. Grow writes: II agree with
you wholly that there Is little to be
feared from the caterpillar" Yet Mr.
Crow thinks as 1 do that all affected
oranges should be cut open and the
larvae destroyed. Mr.. Grow also says:
Il am sure you are quite right in the
opinion that the Mexican orange mag
got is not yet in California, and we do
not intend that it shall come here. The
railroads are aiding us to keep it out.
Any oranges coming from the affected
region will be destroyed, and with
knowledge Of that fact shippers are not
likely to send them here. am authora-
lively informed that buyers are making
use of the presence of the orange cat
erpillar to cut prices. They say, your
oranges are wormy and we cannot pay
so much. They ask the growers to ex
anime one of the very highly colored
oranges, and. sure enough, they find
the caterpillar, are alarmed and sell be-
low the market. There is no cause at
all for this. The insect has done its
work for this year and so little harm
hot &c OF oil net hp
fruit.
The Farmers Club Institute
The institute to be held in Los Angeles
January Sd to 5th promises to be all
that has been hoped. With the follow
ing gentlemen as chairmen of commit
tees, We may expect this to be a model
for the lesser institutes to pattern
after: Secretary Virgins on decoration
of hall, Prof. Sprague on exhibit, Mr..
Edison on music, Mr.. Sessions on ad
vertising, Hon. Abbot Kinney on rail-
road fares. and Mr.. Goodwin on pro-
gram. All of the clubs but one have
either appointed or signified their in
tention to appoint delegates. Prof. Gull
bertson of Ell Cajon, who was formerly
professor of horticulture for the Ne
DraSkd state university, writes. II Is
so far that we feel the expense of the
journey, but we know it is move in the
right direction, and feel that we cannot
afford not to be represented. We have
appointed a delegate who will be with
you, and we expect much from what
he will bring back to us from the meet
ing.
Prof. A. R. Sprague was appointed at
the preliminary meeting to arrange for
an exhibit at the Los Angeles institute.
1t Is hoped and predicted that the del
egates will cooperate with Prof.
Sprague in this matter. New fruits, like
the Redlands early orange, and specially
fine fruit or any product or implement of
excellence should be brought to this eX-
hibit. All can be left in the chamber
Of commerce at the close. Superintend-
ent Virgins informs me that all articles
addressed Chamber of Commerce, Los
Angeles" will be delivered and cared for
Hon. Abbot Kinney has secured COM
mutation rates on the railroads to all
delegates to the farmers clubs institute.
We understand that the fare will be one
and one-third, and perhaps less.