The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-03-03
KILL SAN JOSE SCALE
Use of Spray only Salvation for Trees
Affected by Most Harmful OF
Scale Insects.
by E. +. stenhensl

(By e. F.. Stephens)
This article by E. F. Stephens of
Nampa, president of the state board
OF horticultural inspection, should
prove of great value at this time to
the orchard industry of this section
as 1T deals with the San Jose scale
and the best methods of its eradica-
tion through the use of the lime-sul-
phur spray. The lime-sulphur solu-
tion is manufactured and sold by the
Meridian Spray Manufacturing COM
pany Regarding this important sub
ject Mr.. Stephens writes as follows:
The San Jose scale is probably the
most harmful of the scale insects.
AS one sees the few scattering scales
upon the twigs they have somewhat
the appearance of fly specks. When
twig is encrusted it takes on a dull
grayish appearance commonly de-
scribed by the statement that it
seems covered with wood ashes The
scale not only infests the twigs and
larger branches, but in cases of Sc
we're infection, both the fruit and the
foliage as well. The result of the
work of SO many suffocating insects
is that the tree is sapped of its juices
and the bark dries up and dies.
frequently the first indication the
farmer has that the trees are in
tested.
If tree becomes infested and no
assistance is rendered it in over
coming the scale it either dies in time
or else becomes permanently injured.
Some trees are more hardy than 9TH
ers and may live for years after be-
coming infested while others sue
comb quickly.
While soluble oil sprays are being
recommended and in certain districts
are used quite freely, the higher cost
of the oil spray has so far lead most
orchardists in Idaho to use the lime
sulphur solution. This should be
applied during the dormant stage in
large orchards or just as the buds
are beginning to swell where the
number of trees to be treated is
small and can be covered in a brief
time, the concentrated lime sulphur
diluted at the rate of one gallon of
the lime sulphur to eight gallons of
water. This work should not be done
when the temperature is below freez-
ing point or when the trees are wet
aince the dilution of the spray would
lessen it's efficiency.
In the case of severe infestation
it is best to spray in the fall after the
leaves are shed and to follow this
with another in the spring. In very
severe cases it will be practicable to
spray in the early days of March and
again later just as the buds are
swelling. A very important point in
the control of the San Jose scale is
the destruction of all infected trees
or shrubs which 1t would not be pro-
fitable to save.
It il also advisable in the case of
badly infected large trees to prune
severely especially with regard to
lowering the top, before the spraying
is commenced. This, together with
the removal of all dead and useless
wood will facilitate the application
of the spraying material. More eff
fective work can be done with pow
er sprayer using at least zoo pounds
pressure. The success of the work
depends largely on very thorough
application.
In spraying old orchards the spray
ing outfit should be equipped with
tower or elevated platform on which
an operator may stand to spray thor
oughly the tops of the older trees.
This tower may be constructed either
of suitable wooden pieces or OF gal
yanized steel bars. 1t should be
strongly made, securely braced, and
fastened to the truck, the platform
surrounded with guard rails to avoid
accidents to the operator. Some man
ufactureres equip their machines
with a tower so made that it can be
removed at the convenience of the
operator.
Nothing but high grade six or seven
nly hose should be used on power
which they are operated soon de-
strovs poor, cheap hose. and 1t is
false economy to use low grade. The
leads for use of the operator stand
ing on the ground should be from
az 10 40 feet in length so as to per-
nit of movement through a wide
range independently of the machine.
thus avoiding conflict with fellow OPP
orators and the team. Extension
rods or pipes are necessary in all
Kinds of spraying work. Select a
nozzle throwing a fine spray. All
snraving outfits should be fitted with
gauges SO the operator will know
az All times whether he is using at
least 200 pounds pressure.