The record-union., 1897-11-22

celVeO letter from the Minister OF
Agriculture of Portugal stating that the
cottony cushion scale (Icerya pur-
chasD is doing destructive work in por-
tions Of Portugal, and requesting him
TO try and secure for them colonies Of
beneficial insects. I sent him two lots,
securely packed, which he forwarded,
giving credit to this board
The State Board of Horticulture has
supplied beneficial insects to the Cape
Colony. South Africa, Samoa, Ha-
waiian Islands, Ceylon, Italy, Portugal,
Egypt and British Columbia
On pages 222 to 227 of the Year Book
of the United States Department Of
Agriculture for 1896 appears an ac-
count of some of the imported para
site and predaceous enemies of scale
insects in California. The article be-
gins: In no country in the world has
the possibility of control of insects by
introducing and fostering their natural
enemies been so strongly tested as in
California" Then follows an interest
ing review of what has been done in
this line in the past few years. The
article is from the pen of G. l.. Marlatt,
First Assistant Entomologist United
States Department of Agriculture, af-
ter his personal investigation of this
subject in this State, made under the
instructions of DIR. L. o. Howard.
On September Both the steamship
Doric arrived from Japan and had a
| shipment of fifty tea bushes that were
very seriously infested with that de-
structive scale Diaspis amygdali, Try
| on. The plants and cases We're de-
| stroyed. This scale must be spreading
in that country. Six years ago we
only found it slightly upon some
double-flowering peach trees. Since
then it has been found upon plum,
cherry, walnut, persimmon and Cycus
| revoluta- This is the first time that
| it has been recorded upon tea plants.
| Cabinet specimens We're saved. In
| Ceylon and jamaica where the scale is
| also found, it is a very general feeder.
| Liquid remedies are worthless against
| this pest.
During the past six months the fol-
| lowing scales have been found that
were new to science:
| Aspidotus greenii, Cockerelli, on
stems of bamboo from Japan. This
would be difficult one to KILL owing
to its locating in great numbers under
the leaf shields encircling the stem,
where it is secure from insect enemies
or sprays.
Chionaspis latissimus, Cockerell, on
Distylium racemossum from Japan.
This is one of the most distinct species
| of this genera.
Chionaspis cockerelli, Cooley, on
| palms from China
Chionaspis aneubae, Cooley, on aucu-
| bas from Japan.
Chionaspis wisteriae, Cooley, on wis
| terra from Japan.
| Leucaspis japonicus, Cockerell, form
erly found upon cytissus, l have found
upon naples.
| Besides these, We have several unde-
teTmined species of scale insects; also,
beetles and caterpillars found upon i'm
ported plants.
When the Chinese ambassador ar
rived on July 18th, one of his attaches
had very pretty split bamboo cage,
containing an unusually large species
of 'katydid.' In the cage was a slice
of apple for food He made strong
plea for his pet, but it had to die.
A few years ago the American katy
did" (Microcent rum retinervis) did
considerable damage in eating the tips
of citrus and other trees, but it is now
held in check by the work of a hymen-
opterous parasite that breeds in the
eggs of the katydid Now it is very
rarely seen in California.
From 100 to 900 boxes of lines ar
rive every week from Acapulco. I am
satisfied there is a good opening for
growers-in portions of the State where
the Mexican lime grows-to plant the
Imperial lime budded upon orange
stocks. This lime compares favorably
with the imported lime, both as to size
and acid, and if packed slightly green
the same as the Acapulco fruit it will
keep as we'll A. c. Thomson of Duarte,
Los Angeles County, has two trees of
Imperial lines from which he gathered
$50 worth of fruit during last summer.
The Los Angeles County Commission
sent me a twig. from an Araucaria bid
will infested with scale, which l found
was Aspidiotus rossi. They stated
that the tree is over twenty feet high
l instructed them to burn the tree and
make thorough inspection of adjon-
ing trees and plants. We occasionally
find palms and other plants from Aus
tralia and Samoa infested with this
scale and destroy them.
The steamship Orizaba. running to
Mexican ports, now calls alternately
| at San Pedro and Redondo. 1 wrote to
| the Los Angeles Horticultural Commits
sioners notifying them of this change,
and they have an officer in attendance
to see that no plants or fruit are landed.
The Florida rust mite or ''oil mite"
| Phytoptus oleivorus) has obtained
foothold in San Diego upon some
Florida grown trees. When they at
tack lemons they become a light gray.
| spelling their appearance. 1t can be
| checked with kerosene emulsion or a
| liberal supply of dry sulphur busted
over and through the infested trees
| Respectfully submitted,
| ALEXANDER CRAW
Quarantine Officer.
Nov II 1897