No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGKICULTLIKE. 539 



nuts are very salable. Eiij>lisli walnut trees are also found to suc- 

 ceed in most sections of Pennsylvania, especially in the southern 

 counties. In some parts of the State walnut groves have been 

 planted, owing to the demand for w-alnut lumber in the trades. 



• THE SAN JOSE SCALE. 



The greatest menace to the fruit interests of Pennsylvania is the 

 San Jos6 Scale. T expect to say very little in regard to this pest, 

 because we now have an efflcient Economic Zoologist, who has been 

 giving this pernicious insect his thorough investigation, and will 

 have much to report in regard thereto at this meeting; but it is so 

 important a subject that I do not know when I shall stop. Suffice 

 it to say, at this time, that unless some very vigorous, and what 

 may appear drastic, methods are employed, there may be no fruit 

 in Pennsylvania, of any consequence, in a few years. 



It was on the 23d of January, 1895, that your pomologist sounded 

 the first note of alarm in regard to the appearance of the San Jos6 

 Scale in Pennsylvania. At that time it had appeared in but one 

 county, brought on trees obtained from a nursery iu an adjoining 

 state. The same month, however, it w^as reported in two other coun- 

 ties from trees obtained from the nursery above mentioned. Be- 

 fore the end of 1895 it was in twelve counties. Thus it continued 

 its progress until by this time almost every county in Pennsylvania 

 has been visited. The Economic Zoologist will be able to tell you 

 in regard to its advancement year after year. 



Such being the case, it is plainly to be seen that unless something 

 is done there will be no fruit trees in Pennsylvania within a short 

 time. Take the example of two of my intimate friends in my owm 

 county. They are professional men, who have been successful each 

 in his own line, the one in medicine and the other in dentistry. They 

 concluded to embark in fruit growing in a commercial way, securing 

 efficient help and paying the price. The farm wiiich they purchased, 

 near the city of Beading, was planted with the most ax)proved varie- 

 ties of trees — apples, pears, peaches, plums and quinces. Not much 

 attention was given to cherries, and nothing to small fruits. But 

 thousands of dollars were invested in other fruits, especially such 

 as would bring early returns — peaches and plums. 



After a year or two the farm seemed to be a success. Choice 

 peaches and plums were sold in the Reading market at remunerative 

 prices, and there was a demand for all that were put on sale. The 

 apple and pear trees throve, and soon a fine, orchard of Kieffer pear 

 trees commenced to bear. Then the San Jos6 Scale made its ap- 

 pearance. Where it came from, the owners of the orchard were una- 

 ble to learn, nevertheless, it was there, and soon had possession of 

 every tree. No worse blight ever came over any orchard. The trees 



