The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1903-04-15
THE YAKIMA HERALD.
WEDNESDAY. APRIL 10, 1902.
A CAMPAIGN AGAINST
The GOBLIN MOTH
California Will Begin Extensive
Experiments and Endeavor to
Solve This Absorbing Problem.

Among fruit growers all over the coun-
try the question which is now more than
ever assumin. position of seriousness,
is the Goblin moth pest, the bane OF
every apple orchard. Much has been
said regarding this disease to the fruit
trees and many minor experiments have
been tried and hundreds of suggestions
offered, but so far no material advance
ment towards its ultimate extermina-
ton has been made.
The movement on the part OF the
Agricultural College of California, headed
by Professor Chas w. Woodwork, will
be followed with much interest by the
fruit growers on the Pacific Coast.
The Weekly Chronicle has the follow
ing to say concerning the matter;
$50 little has been done toward
studying the codling moths life history
that Professor Woodwork has deemed
it best to make an exhaustive investiga-
ton, starting from the beginning and
covering every possible phase OF the
problem. To be sure and leave no side
of the work untouched he has organized
a system of cooperative investigation,
embracing fruit-growers in every quarter
of the afflicted region and representing
every range of conditions of climate and
soil. Each difference, caused by the al
titude, exposure, wind drafts, fog cur
rents and other natural agencies, is
being represented by an orchardist, who
is one of Professor Woodworth's volun-
tary correspondents, obeying his orders
and following his directions infinitely.
One hundred of these observers have
been SO engaged for the last two months,
watching sets of breeding cages contain
ing the cocoons of the moth imprisoned
by wire gauze in tiny glass walls. Three
thousand of these walls in sets OF thirty
have been placed in the different
orchards, fastened in the crotches of the
apple trees where they might hatch
under natural conditions. These are be-
ing carefully watched in order to deter
mine the exact time when the larva
escapes from the worm-form to assume
the character of the moth. This critical
period must be determined exactly, for
on it hinges the ultimate success of the
investigation. Parallel with the study
of the life history OF the moth is to go a
careful observation of the apple trees in
order to determine whether under all
conditions there is any definite relation
between the time of poisoning of any
variety OF apple and the appearance OF
the codling moth in the spring. This is
done because it Is believed that the es-
Establishment Of some such relation Will
suggest the right time for spraying the
blossoms and the eggs hatch into the
worm which is found in all the tainted
apples.
Gas the time when the first reports OF
the appearance .oi the moths from the
cocoons in .the walls is close at hand.
Entomologist Clarke has made all his
preparations TO 60 to the scene OF the
investigation, where he will remain
through the spring and summer months.
He will Immediately take up his head
quarters in jacksonville, where an Office
and laboratories have been fitted up for
the service of the University specialists.
As soon a. the moths begin Matching he
will begin the difficult task of testing