1895-] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 155 



There was no question of this, because everywhere plump, yellow insects 

 were found under their scaly covering, and I could scarcely believe that 

 they had been actually exposed to the gas; if they had, the work must 

 have been so carelessly done as to be absolutely ineffective. The ground 

 at this time was frozen solid, and Mr. Lovett had his man chop out with 

 a hatchet those that I found were scaly, and he finally promised to de- 

 stroy all the trees that had come from that particular block, except the 

 apple trees already examined and found practically free from danger. 

 Now, as a matter of fact, without almost criminal carelessness the scales 

 can be completely exterminated in this nursery during the present season. 

 It needs only the destruction of such stock as remains on hand at this 

 time. There are no bearing trees that are infested with the scale; yet 

 Mr. Lovett, as a matter of extra precaution, has declared that he will cut 

 out what few remain in the nursery. If this is done, I see no reason why 

 any stock grown in the future on this land should not be entirely safe and 

 free from the scale. 



The situation of Parry is somewhat different, and yet the history is 

 nearly the same. Here also plum trees were imported from California, 

 and these were infested by the scale. The trees remained in the nursery 

 rows for two or three years, and were used to bud from. They never 

 did well and were eventually taken out and destroyed ; but the mischief 

 had been done; the scales had spread from them to bearing trees in the 

 vicinity. Fruit growing is a very important feature on the Parry farms, and 

 a considerable acreage of trees soon became seriously infested. In the 

 home orchards the ground is utilized to the greatest possible extent and 

 low plants and shrubs are grown in portions of it. Among others currants, 

 both black and white, became very seriously infested by the scale. \Ve 

 had, therefore, an abundant supply of sources from which nursery stock 

 could become infested year after year ; and this actually took place. 

 When the Messrs. Parry realized that their orchards were so badly infested 

 and that the nursery stock was also well spotted over, several blocks of 

 valuable trees were taken out entirely and burnt, without any attempt 

 made to treat them. Certain other varieties that did not seem to be badly 

 troubled were left, with the idea that they might be treated and saved. 

 I visited the nurseries at intervals during the Summer, and during this 

 time a number of experiments were made as to the possibility of using 

 the kerosene emulsion successfully against the scales. To some extent 

 the applications were advantageous, especially where made when the 

 larva- were active, or just after they had set and before the scale had 

 become impenetrable. But it was found that this was a very unreliable 

 method and I advised making a Winter campaign ; which sugges- 

 tion was adopted for nursery stock, before it was sent out, the gas treat- 

 ment was advised, and on February 26th, when I last visited nurseries, 

 almost all that was heeled in had been thoroughly treated and on it I did 

 not find living scales. Some parts of rows had not yet been fumigated 

 and there plenty of living sc des were found, showing at once a strong 



