Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-04-11
MAKING BUGS FIGHT
BATTLES FOR FARMERS
California Has Hatchery of In
sects to Aid Fruit Growers
Many Crops Saved.

Sacramento. Cal, Special: One of
the newest and most striking ways III
which science is coming to the assist
ance OF the farmer is by the enlistment
of insect battalions to light the devour-
ing horde OF insect pests. This peculiar
activity represents the science Of parsi-
tism-the very latest OF the applied
sciences.
The object of parasitism is the con-
troll OF insect pests by the introduction
of their natural insect enemies. These
are always small and sometimes micro
ScOptc.
To find them. breed them in CON
f1nenent In commercially Important
lumber and distribute them wherever
agricultural or horticultural pests are
found. is the task set for the parasit-
ologists.
scots for no other purpose thar to put
them to work lighting other insects is
carried on in the California state in
sectary on a much larger scale than
anywhere else in the world. Millions
of insects of many kinds and of various
sizes are here reared for distribution
to the orange and olive groves. peach.
apple, prune and apricot orchards, can
taloupe and watermelon fields and 9TH
er gardening and orchard specialties.
Breeding Beneficial Insects.
h California state insectary is To-
sASS III L u n GU l. Itt
building is a one story structure of
glass and concrete. Most of the rooms
have walls entirely composed of glass.
These are arranged around a centrai
court. In which are growing. trees,
shrubs n plants of many varieties.
Each room is heated and ventilated
independently of all the others and so
arranged that he air can be pumped
out and fresh air supplied from the
basement at any Temperature desired.
lit Is therefore nnSS1hIn IN ,or,,1o ~ ~.
temperature to the fraction of u degree.
1t is recognized the world over that
the artificial breeding of beneficiary In
sects is carried on in California more
successfully than anywhere else, large
ly as a result of the perfect arrange-
ment OF the state insectary. For that
reason that institution has been visited
by scientists representing France, tally.
Japan. Germany and several other for
eign countries with a view TO the
adoption of ideas embodied in it in
their own chronological work.
The breeding OF beneficial insects on
any scale desired is simply a matter OF
supplying. an abundance of the right
tons of light, neat and Ventilation.
Some beneficial insects are parasitic.
That is to say, they deposit their eggs
IN the grubs of other insects, and az
the young hatch and develop, they feed
upon the surrounding tissues. and tht.
victim Technically known as the host
ess) is killed long before it reaches
maturity. Others are predaceous: that
is. they pounce upon and devour GER
tain other species. OF This nature are
the ladybird beetles. of which there are
upwards OF 1000 species, which are,
the natural enemies OF all kinds OF
plant lice and scale insects. Strictly
speaking. the science OF parasitism is
concerned only with the parasitic foes
OF insect pests. AS a matter of fact.
parasitologists concern themselves with
all insects that destroy insects pests,
whether predaceous or parasitic.
Food Supply Important.
n only food upon which parasitic
Insects flourish is the host that nature
resigned them to hold in check. Sim
taste n digestive. organs of preda-
ceous insects are other smaller and
weaker insects that feed upon vegetable
tissues and arc therefore dangerous to
arners, lruit growers and gardeners.
therefore. it is necessary that an
abundant supply of pest infested leaves
and branches Of fruit be kept always
on nand In order that the beneficial in
scots be assured Of a plentiful food
supply.
Most insects. whether Injurious or
Denenclal, parasitic or p~redaceous. ma
be kept in a dormant condition of prac-
tically suspended animation for an in
NA0 pcAAou SIMPLY Dy keeping them
in a room with IL Temperatures too low
to promote their development. In this
way the breeding operation Of the state
1nsectary at Sacramento are reduced Il,
the owest possible terms.
n notice is received that a
particular pest a broken out in any
part OF the state, the parasitic or pre-.
daceous foes of that particular pest are
to an apartment where the
proper condition Of heat. light and ven
tilation may be supplied and an abund-
ance OF the appropriate food is fur
nished.
Almost Immediately the dormant in
scots begin to awake to activity. soon
the females begin to deposit their eggs
IN q very few days Tin some in
stances within "a hours) the scientists
IN charge of the insectary are ready to-
make shipments of thousands of insects
10 the pest stricken regions. The hen
ehcial insects are sent to farmers and
orcnardists free Of charge.
Whom les Nice 70 Be Fat.
From the Philadelphia Ledger.
Juiius Kahn. the former actor. who
represents n of the California; dis-
1rlcts. is inclined to be fat. One Of
Aahns fellow members was twittinu
MIN ABOUT this the other dav hut $500