The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1907-04-01


or it's near relative, the hop aphis.
Y
AS time goes by and we study the
various pests that afflict the fruit
grower. we learn that we have been
mistaken in many things. Let us take
look at the San jose scale for an IL
| Illustration of this. 1t was once thought
that this scale was quite n traveller and
would crawl from tree to tree in our
orchards that it would adhere to the
boxes in which the fruit was shipped
and from these would crawl to our
trees and infect our orchards; that as
consequence of this migratory habit
of the San Jose scale, If we shipped
| fruit infected with this insect we would
scatter the pest far and wide over the
country. Many people believe these
things yet and when told that they are
mistaken and that this scale is rarely
and perhaps never spread on infected
fruit, they will say some ugly things
about those who tell them what Is now
the truth about such matters.
Il
Some of our most noted entomologists
have recently given utterance to their
views in this matter as the result or
thorough study of this very dangerous
pest I give a few quotations below.
M v. Slingerland, of the New York ex-
pertinent station, Is one Of the eminent
entomologists in the country and since
the death of Prof. Riley, has few equals
if any, and no superior. He was recent
ly asked through the columns OF the
Rural New Yorker If there was any
danger of spreading this pest on infect
ed fruit. His article is too long to
quote in full, but I give so much OF his
answer as he bears on this one point OF
new infestations coming from infected
fruit: 1.-THE fact that, so far as
know, no infestation has ever been def
ntely traced to fruit grown elsewhere
and that the chances as just outlined
are so small against the probability Of
such infestation, leaves me no doubt the
ACCESSIBILITY Of laws compelling the de-
struction of fruit in the market infests.
| ed with San Jose scale. In regard to
the infestations by cuttings Of wood in
tested with the San Jose scale, we have
quite another and more dangerous prob
| lem Doubtless most Of the new infes-
tations from the San Jose scale CINE
through the introduction Of infested
nursery stock. ~
Il
II think, however, that many new in
festations. both in nurseries and or
chards, have been caused by cuttings or
scions obtained elsewhere. There Is no
egg stage with the San Jose scale as
there is in the case Of the oystershell
and scurfy bark scales, but the young
lice are born alive and crawl from be-
meath the mother scale. They crawl
| hor hours.
and sooner or later when they find
suitable place, settle down and begin Sc
creting their scaly covering, and never
move from that spot. Thus there Is
only about one day in the life Of the
San Jose scale when 1t can transport
itself or crawl from one place to anoth-
err. Practically all new infestations, 80
far as there is any definite evidence.
come about through the agency Of the
wind, or Of animals, but by far the most
prolific source of new infestations Is the
distribution Of infested nursery stock
and scions or cuttings.
Il
Very similar to this statement from
Prof. Slingerland is one from Bulletin
No. 81, Bureau Of Entomology, United
States Department Of Agriculture. 1
quote as follows from this bulletin:
1.-THE larva does not ordinarily travel
very far from the base Of the tree
With the females without wings, and
When the larvae do not travel but a
few inches, the question naturally
arises: How is the insect scattered
throughout the country? The insect 10
usually-almost Observation-Disclosures
into a new section by means Of nursery
stock, trees, scions, buds, etc. The In
sect can be carried on fruit, but 1t is
exceedingly improbable that any trees