The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-07

olaas Of insects begins 70 increase unduly
there IL generally another that lives upon
Il aS a parasite, and thus It is kept In check
and prevented from doing serious injury.
Before the country was 90 greatly de-
nuded Of its forest tracts, there were fewer
Insects that preyed upon the cultivated
hreas, Birds, q most important factor in
keeping the right balance between plant
and Insect life, have been severely exposed
10 their enemies by the breaking up Of the
security Of their haunts and breeding places,
ard the loss OF the protection which they
fouad 10 forest and swamp. Entire olasst Q
OF birds are passing away, and their pres
saoe Is no longer known TO many regions.
This Is particularly true Of the wren,
bns Of the most valuable domestic birds.
The wrens used 10 be regular sojoumers
about country homes, and Ia providing for
their families Of little ones they would keep
the garden, trees and shrubs about the
home grounds comparatively free from
insect depredations,
The chief enemy Of the wren is the red
squirrel, which, being driven out OF its
forest home. has taken up its life among
the trees near 10 human habitations; and
II has, by It's robbery Of the nests OF both
the eggs and the young, practically ami
hilated this most valuable OF birds, the
house Wran.
One Of the results Of this ruthless cuttin z
down Of trees and the chan ging Of natures
harmonious relations has bean very
great increase Of many kinds Of insects
which without a corresponding increase OF
their parasites, have become pests and are
causing enormous financial damage.
The losses that are suffered by the State
Of New York from insect injuries to agri-
culture, horticulbore live stock and forest
interests are computed by our best eco
nomlo and chronological authorities to
reach S26,o0O,OOO annually, while to the
entire country the loss reaches the fabu-
Ious amount Of 500, 900 900 annually.
Among the most damaging Of number
Of pests that are becoming very general
over the UnitedStstes IS the San jose scale.
This IL q foreign importation. brought
into our country from China more than
thirty years ago on a Towering Chinese
peach tree. Like many foreigners 1t found
the United States Q congenial place, and
IL began 10 increase and spread vigorously
in its new homo.
The insect was carried from California
10 the East on some nursery trees, and from
this Eastern nursery It has been widely
disseminated over many States Of the Union.
The insect is 90 minute In sire that It is not
easiiy discovered until its effects are visible
IN dead OF dying trees, and tie great danger
lies IA the dlficulty Of its timely discovery
and Identification.
Tia trees upon many beautiful estates are
boing devastated by this scale. The ra-
pldity Of 10 spread may be understood when
10 - hnoWn that one pair Of scales In the
spring may be the progenitors Of more
than 500. 900 900 by the end Of the following
autumn. II Hves upon all fruit trees, many
ornamental tress and shrubs, small fruits,
roses and other plants.
In China q native lAdybug lives upon II
a. a parasite, keeping II In check and pre-
venting Il from doing serious damage.
The importation Of the parasite has given
some good results IN California and some
States Of the South. Thus far It has not
particular hslp in The North.
In order to avoid the great losses that are
following from the effect Of this scale
ARTIFICIAL treatment has 10 be resorted to
and the trees sprayed with a solution Of
hfteen pounds Of lime, fifteen pounds OF
sulfur and fifteen pounds Of salt thoroughly
HN.LLQ.Q DQnolt anu HDRAlGA " NAN NANSa
through powerful force pumps.
Another preparation showing some good
results l. made - follow: To one gallon
Of kerosene oil add four pounds Of fine
or bydrated lime. This IL MIXED, the lime
abaoTbing the oil. 6uficient lime should
ElWays b used in the mixture to absorb
the oil; sometirnss this requires q little
over four pounds. For a 20 per cent. solu-
ton. Of oil add four gallons Of water, and
for . IS per cent. solution add three gallons
Of water. This should be thoroughly sgi-
tstSd or mixed for i've minutes, or until q
perfect emulsion IL formed. when II Is
sprayed upon the trees.
These applications should be made In the
early part Of winter, or AZ soon as the foliage
has fallen from the trees, or It may be made
a. any time before the buds begin to swell
10 the spring. The material penstrates the
covering over the insect and kills II. To
be effective the spraying needs TO be very
thoroughly done, covering every part Of
the tree.
So serious has become this pest that in
some communities a general cooperative
movement is being inAugurated 10 save
the trees. Last autumn an educational
campaign against il was begun on Long
Island At Locust Valley oyster Bay
and elsewhere. Lectures OF talks were
given TO the teachers and children Of the
public schools upon the life and history
Of the scale, how TO study and identify II,
and treat ment for It's control.
Lectures were also given before the Mas
sAu Country Club and other public gath
erinEs. Thus full information was given
10 the citizens Of different communities
upon the subject Of the scale.
The result OF this educational campaign
was the formation Of cooperative associa-
tons, which have been organized at Locust
Valley and at oyster Bay, and which have
procured large power spraying machines,
and a. faT e. possible all Of the trees Of these
communities are being sprayed A similar
movement has also been started by the
members Of the Highland Country Club At
Garrison. n. Y, and the trees are being
sprayed at Garrison, West Point and High.
And Pals on the Hudson,
There are two other pests. also imported,
the glpsy and browntailed moths, that
Are threatening New England, and eventu.
ally. like the San jose scale, q very wide
territory.
Tha s3,aw r.ask -. fu,z..-t.A g..