No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF A(!RICULTURE. 236 



The interesting point is, that the twice-stabbed ladybird is a close 

 ally of the species that is doing such good work in Asia. So similar 

 are the species, indeed, that to the untrained eye they would readily 

 pass as the same. This twice-stabbed lady-bird occurs not uncom- 

 monly in the Eastern United States, and I have bred in New Jer- 

 sey from the pernicious scales, the same little Apheliniis which is 

 found in California. Practically then, we have in the East all the 

 species that cont''ol this scale in Southern California. But as one 

 travels North, it is found that the natural enemies are less effective, 

 and the tight against the insect is still in progress. Resin washes 

 and lime, salt and sulphur were everywhere in evidence; but, prac- 

 tically, the growers are all coming to accept the latter of these mix- 

 tures as the most satisfactory. 



After twenty-five years, California has solved the San Jos^ Scale 

 problem and, greatly assisted by nature, has the insect fully under 

 control. The matter of the lime, salt and sulphur w'ash will be again 

 referred to. The important fact to be recognized here is, that it was 

 not until after a long, hard fight — after thousands of trees had been 

 killed and after years of experimenting — that the insect was finally 

 controlled. We will attain the same result in the East; but it may 

 have to be done in a somewhat different manner. 



ITS INTKODUCTION AND SPREAD IN THE EASTERN UNITED 



STATES. 



In either 1886 or 1887, two New Jersey nurseries secured plum 

 and pear trees from the Pacific Coast from which they propagated, 

 by ordinary nursery methods. It was not known that these trees were 

 infested by any unusual scale, and buds and cuttings were freely used 

 in the nursery blocks. Both nurseries grew more or less fruit com- 

 mercially, and the bearing trees soon became infested. From these, 

 other nursery blocks were annually supplied and, in 1890 and there- 

 after, scaly trees were sent out in all directions. The two nurseries 

 affected were the most extensive in New Jersey, and had a trade 



