The record-union., 1897-10-30

Of the number and variety of
trees, and the proportion of each
variety; Of the condition of the
orchard as to care, cultivation, ETC., and
OF the kinds of pests infested with, il
any. The inspector also gives the pro
prietor OF person in possession of the
orchard Information as to the condi-
ton Of his trees with regard TO insect
pests, and informs him of the proper
spraying material or other treatment
TO be used for their eradication, the
season in which to apply it, and any
other desired information.
The commission has also caused 70
be printed for free distribution a large
quantity of pamphlets containing the
most approved formulas for treatment
Of the various kinds of insect pests and
diseases of fruit and fruit trees, which
are distributed by the inspectors among
the fruit growers.
1t is only proper to say in this con-
nection that thus far in the work the
inspectors have met with almost uni
versal courtesy. nearly all growers ex-
pressing themselves as pleased with the
~
tion to rid the orchards of the county
of insect pests Thus far in the dis
charge Of their duties among the
orchardists the inspectors have been
obliged to serve but three formal no
tices on individual growers, ordering
them to abate certain nuisances in their
orchards, and on no occasion has the
board found it necessary to order work
of eradicating insects done at pubic
expense, to become lien on the prop
erty of the owner.
QUARANTINE AGAINST INSECT
PESTS AND DISEASES.
The city of Stockton is the principal
local market for the fruit and veSeta-
bles grown in this county, and almost
the sole point Of entry for fruit grown
in other localities and consumed here
The great bulk of the fruit imported
into this county comes from San Fran
cisco by boat, there being two lines OF
steamers plying between this city and
the metropolis, but much is also brought
in by rail 1t requires a very large
portion of the time of one inspector
acting in the capacity of a quarantine
guardian. to properly inspect all the
ton from outside points. The inspector
has in very large number OF instances
found the fruit thus arriving infested
with various kinds of scale, with Codlin
moth, and numerous other kinds or IN
sect pests. 1t has been his custom 10
return infested fruit arriving from out
side points to the shipper at his own
(the shipper's) expense. Whether this
course is the wisest and best admits
of very serious doubt, as it is open to
the objection that the same fruit, after
being returned, may be reshipped to
some other point. In at least one IN
stance the inspector has been satisfied
that fruit condemned by him ana re-
turned to the shipper has been sent
back again to this county mixed with
good fruit 1t would seem that the
most effective and direct remedy In
such cases is the immediate and entire
destruction of infested fruit.
On this point this board would So
licit advice from your honorable body
Fruit grown in this county and offered
for sale here, if found to be infested
with any kind of insect pests. is
promptly destroyed by the inspector.
CONDITION OF THE FRUIT INTER-
EST.
Of the fruit interests of this county
it may be said that they are little more
than in their infancy. In the northern
portion of the county, in the neighbor-
hood Of the towns of Lodi and Acampo,
large areas have been planted to
orchards by experienced growers. These
orchards are nearly all in healthy
condition, productive and free from In
sect pests. 1t is the small orchards,
varying in size from few trees to
few acres, planted years ago for fam
lily use, that are the propagators and
breeding places of the various insect
pests.
On the whole, however, the fruit in
terests of this county may be SAID 10
be in good condition. Here the almond.
peach. apricot and pear are grown with
great success, and are largely cultl-
waited. The grape also finds the SOIL
and climate of this county peculiarly
adapted to it's needs, and both wine and
table varieties flourish with luxuriance
The town of Lodi has become q very
important point for the shipment of
table grapes, the Tokay in particular
-~~
color.
The commission in submitting this re-
port regret that they cannot point TO
more definite results accomplished.
They believe, however, that they have
already done much to bring fruit pro-
ducers to realize that they are in earn
est. and that they must take active
measures to free their orchards from
all manner of pests.
A year hence this commission hopes
to furnish a report of more interest,
and to be able to point to greater re-
suits.
Respectfully submitted this lotn DAY
of October. 1897, to the Honorable State
Poard of Horticulture, at Sacramento,
Cal, by
GEORGE w. ASHLEY, President.
c. w. NORTON, Secretary.