The Savannah morning news., 1901-08-09
THE SAN JOSE SCALE.
EntOmoIogist Scott Tells About Its
Spread in Several Sections.

EntOmoIogist Scott Tells About Its
Spread in Several Sections.
Milledgeville, Ca, Aug. SIN the dis
cussion last night by the Horticultural
Convention of the spread and means 10
be used against the spread of the San
Jose scale, Mr.. Scott, the state ento-
rnologist, unrolled for the inspection OF
the society, a map of the state, show
ing the infected districts in red.
Mr.. Scott said in substance that the
San Jose scale had become very gener-
ally distributed throughout Georgia
That 1t was introduced from New Jer-
sey about twelve years ago, and has
spread rapidly and unremittingly for
several years. When the people of the
state finally awoke to the gravity OF
the situation 1t was already in most OF
the large orchards in South Georgia.
Waycross is generally accredited as be-
ing the first point of introduction, but
this doubtful honor is also claimed by
brownsville. Though there is some
doubt about this, it is certain that the
latter point was the one of general dis
tribution for the extreme southwest
section. 1t is now thoroughly eStab
lished and is thoroughly distributed
from orchards to swamp and into the
shade trees in the cities and towns. A
few counties in this section are free
from scale so far as any definite in
formation we have shown, but it would
undoubtedly be found to be there If an
investigation were made. The lines of
the scale infested localities extends
mere or less continuously along the
lines of the Georgia Southern Railroad
from Valdosta to Macon. A few peach
growing localities only being exempt
1t has become thoroughly established in
some localities in Dougherty, Randolph,
Webster and Marion counties, and was
introduced in the important fruit grow
ing towns of Fort Valley and Mar
shallville as long as five or six years
ago. Here. however, radical methods
were taken to hold 1t down, with the
results that until very recently it has
been confined to very few orchards.
The indications this summer, however,
are that it is becoming more generally
distributed over those towns southeast
of Macon. In Twiggs and Laurens
counties it has also existed for some
time before means We're taken for its
control, and now several orchards in
those counties are excellent examples
of what may be accomplished by a. sys-
tematic fight against this insect.
North of Macon the conditions are
dinerent In hardly any localities did
1t exist to any dangerous degree before
Its presence was detected and means
introduced against it. Though the map
shows considerable number of infect
ed points most of these mean but a
single orchard, which has already been
dug up and every means taken possible
TO insure the complete eradication of
the pest from those regions. Localities
of this sort exist in Gwinnett, jackson,
PiCkenS, and Gilmer
In Habersham county a case was dis
covered last fall but prompt spraying
so reduced the number of the living
scale that on a visit made there the
past month by Mr.. Fiske, the assistant
entomologist, he was only able to find
them in insignificant numbers. 1t is
hoped that continuation of the treat
ment will completely eradicate it in
this section.
With regard to the future of the San
Jose scale in Georgia in so far as at
present is indicated, sure to spread in
time and by natural causes throughout
the state. The period required for this
TO occur is merely conjecture 1t may
be ten, twenty or more years 1t is
hoped, however, and l think with good
foundation, that long ere this time the
natural enemies will be found sufficient
to cope with it successfully. They are
tHouBn now so Idf as variety
goes but are lacking in numbers only.
A general discussion followed upon
the best apparatus, seasons, material,
etc, used to ensure a successful war
fare against this pest and the meeting
adjourned until evning
In the evening a series of lantern
slides showing the principal injurious
insects to Georgia horticulture, were
shown. The very limited time allowed
practically no discussion upon them,
nor upon the various apparatus for the
destruction. of the insects that were
also shown.
Following him Mr.. Fiske, assistant
entomologist, gave an illustrated talk
on the beneficial insects, touching on
the predaceous and parasitic, and
speaking also of the forms instrument
tai in cross pollination among Towering
plants and others.