24 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



When the San Jos6 Scale first appeared, entomologists set to 

 work to stamp it out, and adopted the most heroic treatment for this 

 purpose. There was general destruction of infested trees ordered on 

 every hand, and yet the scale spread more rapidly than the de- 

 stroyers could follow it, until it became evident, that the continuance 

 of this treatment would ultimately result in the loss of all the fruit 

 orchards of the country. Orchard and nursery inspectors were con- 

 sequently' compelled to abandon this method as a remedy, excejit in 

 extreme cases, and devote their attention to the discovering of some 

 insecticide that would be destructive of the insect, and yet do no in- 

 jury to the plants to which it is Jipplied. In short, they endeavored 

 to find a means of controlling the spread of this insect, rather than 

 to attempt the destruction of every single scale. 



This has resulted, after much careful study and experimentation, 

 in their recommending three preparations, any one of which has been 

 found reasonably effective for this purpose. Crude petroleum either 

 mixed with from 75 to 80 per cent, of water, or used pure; whale 

 oil soap; and lime salt and sulphur, or sulphate of copper wash. 

 The latter two preparations are free from danger of doing damage 

 to the trees, and whilst the first is attended at times with injurious 

 effects, it is, perhaps, the most efficient in destroying the scale. 



The Department has had several experts prepare bulletins of in- 

 formation upon the use of these and other insecticides. One by 

 Dr. H. T. Fernald, Entomologist for the State of Massachusetts, 

 one by Dr. J. B. Smith, Entomologist for the State of New Jersey, 

 one by Dr. A. V. Stubenrauch, Instructor in Horticulture in the 

 University of Illinois, and one by Prof. H. A. Surface, Professor of 

 Zoology in The Pennsylvania State College. The dissemination of 

 this information among our orchardists and nurserymen will be of 

 great value in enabling them to combat these insect foes. 



At a general meeting of the nursery inspectors of the several 

 States, and of the entomologists connected with the colleges and 

 Experiment Stations of this country at Atlanta, Ga., in October of 

 last year, at which this Department was represented, the following 

 resolutions relating to nursery inspection were adopted. 



1st. — "Eesolved, That the examining or certifying officer of each 

 State, accept at its face value the statement made in certificates 

 duly granted under the laws of their State, so far tis the laws of 

 his own State admit, unless information at hand creates reasonable 

 doubt as to the regularity of the certificate or its application. 



2d. — "That the inspectors of the several States should freely and 

 frankly exchange communications with regard to nursery infestation 

 and attempts at evasion of the laws, as might, from time to time, 

 come to their notice. 



