The courier-index. (Marianna, Ark.) 1917-current, 1917-11-09
SAN JOSE SCALE
AND ITS CONTROL
Hundreds of Acres Of Orchards Are
Killed Yearly BY This
Insect.
]. s. Knox, Horticulturist, Extension


Division, University of Arkansas.
Possibly there is no other insect
that has done, and is still doing, more
damage in the orchards of Arkansas
than is the San Jose Scale. 1t is also
true that this insect has been the
subject of great deal of discussion,
yet 1t remains fact that there are
still hundreds Of acres Of orchards
that are being killed by this insect;
thousands of dollars are lost annually
because OF it and the majority of peo-
pie still do not know what the insect
Ia like.
The scale is a small yellow louise
which spends the winter in the half
grown stage beneath the tiny gray
scales which may completely cover
the body OF the tree. Soon after the
spring opens and the weather be-
comes warm these insects which have
passed the winter successfully reach
the adult stage when thousands OF
young ones are born. The young
scales crawl about on the body of the
tree for a short time until they either
perish or find a suitable location. II
favorably located the tiny beak or pro-
bosis is inserted into the soft tissue
OF the tree and the scale begins to
feed upon the sap of the tree. Scales
never change their position after be-
coming established, and shortly after
establishing themselves a small scale
begins to form over their bodies. 1t is
believed that in the South there are
four or nve broods every year. II
usually requires only three or four
years for the insect to kill tree.
Some may live longer, but do not
bear profitable crops of fruit. Trees
attacked by the insect usually make a
very poor growth, the body turning
an ashy gray color owing to the nu-
merous insects which cover it and
generally, especially in peach trees,
the tops and tips of branches will die
while vigorous young shoots will come
out on the lower portion of the tree.
II the tops are killed and these young
sprouts appear there is still chance
to make a useful tree. Cut off the
dead portion and spray thoroughly
with the lime sulphur solution. 1t is
only question of a few years until
all states Will be quarantined so that
no fruit or fruit trees having scale
can be shipped into them. Several
states have such a law now but pos
sibly few of them are enforcing it.
Scale is easy to control If we only go
after 1t right The solution must,
however, be applied during the winter
or dormant season since it is strong
enough to do great damage TO young
leaves or fruit. IL the best results
are to be obtained il is absolutely es-
sential that the orchardist know the
exact strength OF the solution and
that IL is strong enough. In order
10 be able to avoid costly mistakes
every orchardist must equip himself
with lime sulphur hydrometer
which can be purchased for about a
dollar. This instrument will en-.
able one to know the exact strength
of the solution which he is using. TIL,
solution should test about As degrees
at q temperature of so degrees r.
when ready TO apply for scale. The
following table is taken from Farm
er's Bulletin No $50. which may be
obtained by writing TO the Extension
Division OF the University of Arkan
sas, Fayetteville.
TABLE NO. 1.
Diiution Table For Concentrated Lime
Sulphur Solution.