24( 



ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



Off. Doc. 



The only insecticide which, so far as my experience goes, answers 

 al] these purposes, is whale (or fish) oil somj*. I have used tobacco 

 mixtures, other soa]) luixtures and kerosene, pure or emulsified; 

 but on the whole, whale (or fish) oil soap is the best. At the rate 

 of one pound in three gallons of water, it may be applied safely at any 

 time after June 15, on any tree except peach and it will kill all larvae 

 and recently set loiius. Of course this leaves the old scales alive; 

 but forms a check to increase that is very effective. Early breeding 

 is in full swing about June 20, and an application thoroughly made 



Fisr. 3— A pear, natural size, infested by the San 

 Jose Scale. The scales are shown as black dots, 

 the surroundiuo- shade representing' tlie iiui-plish dis- 

 coloraiioii; at h, a single scale is shown, very much 

 enlarged. {From Howard, Circ. S, 2d ser., Div. Ent., U. 

 S. Dept. Agr.) 



at that time, will wipe out so many of the young that unless it is very 

 bad the tree will go safely through the summer. On peach, one pound 

 in four gallons of water is the limit of safety in June. The heaviest 

 broods of scales come in late September and early October, and at 

 this time trees not bad during the early season may be swarming 

 with young. Now even peach will stand one pound of soap in three 

 gallons of water, and all other trees will stand one pound in two 

 gallons. The foliage in early October is mature, the buds are form- 



