772 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



profitable market will be correspondingly bright. The careless and 

 indifferent persons who will not spray, or endeavor to keep the 

 scale in check, will be driven ont of business, w^hile the enterprising 

 orchard owner who sprays and adopts modern methods of control- 

 ling insect pests and fungous diseases, will reap, proportionately, 

 greater returns. If trees are properly sprayed, one application will 

 be effective for three years. 



To nurserymen this is a question of great importance. Is it just 

 or right that when one infested tree is found in their nurseries they 

 must erect a fumigating house and fumigate their trees before sale 

 or shipment, and their neighbor, who has San Jos^ Scale on adjoin- 

 ing premises, and whose trees are a constant source of infestation 

 to the entire community, should not be compelled to remove them? 

 I think we must admit that this condition of affairs is wrong, and 

 that some legislation is needed to correct it. 



To the man living in a city or village, and who has but a few trees, 

 the question of destroying or controlling the San Jos^ Scale is a diffi- 

 cult problem. Aside from the fact that his trees are in constant 

 danger of infestation and re-infestation from the premises of care- 

 less neighbors, the expense of a spraying outfit, and the time and 

 trouble necessary to give his trees proper attention, are questions 

 that are likely to be entirely neglected. It is tedious work to pre- 

 pare the lime, sulphur and salt mixture properly, and its applica- 

 tion is a most unpleasant duty. Some one in every community 

 should own a spraying outfit, and be prepared to treat orchards and 

 private premises, at so much per diem or per tree, whenever wanted. 

 Many would patronize and pay liberally for such service rather than 

 undertake it themselves. The probable effect of the matter may be 

 to make fruit culture a profession separate from farming. The 

 legislature should be asked for a large appropriation to fight the 

 pest, and no one should be discouraged, but simply determined to 

 fight on until the battle is won. 



The present darkness is but to be compared with that "darkest 

 hour" which precedes the dawm, and the brighter day for the Penn- 

 svlvania fruit grower is alreadv breaking. 



As Moses had to traverse the Valley of Moab before he could enjoy 

 the heights of Pisgah, so may w-e feel that we have fairly crossed 

 our valley of despondency and are now prepared, by the aid of the 

 scientists and modern methods, to mount the promised land of suc- 

 cess. 



MR. HIESTER: I feel that I am less qualified to speak on this sub- 

 ject than Prof. Surface. I think all orchards ought to bo inspected; 

 but the question is where to get competent inspectors? We have a 

 "yellows" law, but there seems to be no disposition to enforce it. The 



