The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-19
San Jose Scale.
(Aspidiotus Pcrircceosus.) }

present. NO doubt 1T Is doing damage
unaware in Il number Of other places in
Che State. The oyster shell scale or bark
lousc and scurfy scale arc frequently
found on orchard trees, as we'll us other
species of scale but the Sam Jose scale
is the mcanest of the scale insects. In
Tested trees if felt alone succumb in
about three years.
In Il peach orchard, not in this State,
however, 5000 out of 5000 trees died
as the result of the in urics Of this insect.
1t is to be hoped that those in this State
who have orchards, or even but few
trees, will be on the lookout for this
scale, and take measures promptly for
lis destruction. In cases of doubt the
party should write to the Eutomoligist
Of the Experiment Station at Clemson
College who will GLADLY identify spcci-
mems ana furnish all necessary informal
ton.
The twigs Of trees infected with this
scale have Il dull ashcn appearance when
the insect is present in quantity. if the
twig be scrapcd with the fingcrnail there
is found Il scurfy material which is easily
scrapcd off. The bark underneath this
scurf has Il purplish appearance which
is very pronounced in the case of peach
cs, apples and pears and indicates, be-
yond il doubt, the presence Of Sam Jose
scale. The scurfy scale is somewhat
similar to the scale first mentioned, but
does not cause this purplish discolora
tion of twigs. The ashcn appearance
of twigs is caused by two or three layers
Of small papcry scales. When not SO
abundant, however, the scales have the
appearance Of small whitish discs adhcr-
ing to the bark. These are circular in
outline, about 0ne-twclfth Of an inch in
diameter or smaller with small nipple
like prominence in the center. This
scale represents an cxcretion of the in
scct-not the insect itsclf-thc offender
being little soft-bodicd insect under
meath the papcry scale. There fixed i'll
position he lives sucking the juice of the
twigs, protected from the weather by
his little house.
Birds, no doubt, are effective agents
in carrying the insect from tree to tree
upon their feet. The original infcsta-
tions may come with trees purchased Of
nurserymcn or tree agents or upon fruit.
The Sam Jose scale can be sent around
Il I Il
be unwisc to throw pcclings on which
scale were present among fruit trees or
into the yard
The insect lays no eggs, but brings
forth its young alive continuously during
the summer. While young il can crawl
about, but soon locates on the bark, and
then remains fixed i'll that place. All
the dcciduous fruit trees and shrubs of
tie rose family, including the rose itself,
also clms, chcstnuts and walnuts are
liable TO the attack of this scale.
Treatment is limited to the winter
season when the foliage will not be in
jurcd by the strong washes necessary.
Kerosene emulsion used at the rate of
one part of the emulsion to four or five
of water has been found entirely salts
factory for treating trees infested with
scale. 1t is useful for other scale insects
also. Diluted to one part in fifteen or
twenty it makes an effective and cheap
spray against plant lice, mites, and al
most any insect. The emulsion is made
as follows: Hard soap, onc-half pound
soft water, one gallon; kerosene, two
gallons. First slice up the soap into a
gallon Of water, heat until the soap is
all melted and dissolved, and while this
solution is boiling hot add to it two
gallons of coal oil and churn the mixture
violently until it forms a bultcr-milk
mass. 1t is then ready for dilution and
use according to the strength needed. If
we'll made there will be no free oil on
the surface, and a drop applied to glass
! will show no oilincss. The churning is
most effectively done by means Of hand
syringe or pump by pumping up the
| liquid and forcing the stream back into
the same vessel. In place of the half
pound Of hard soap a quart of soft soap
may be used. If the two gallons Of
| kcrocrnr can bc brofrI wit bout Ionrcr