140 ANNUAL- REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



S. ORCHARD INSPECTION IN PENNSYLVANIA. 



In reading the following reports it should be remembered that 



the Inspector is Irequenlly assigned to a dislrict containing two or 

 more counties. His report is here published under the first (alpha- 

 betical) county in his district, and his reports for subsequent coun- 

 ties, being practically the same, are to be found by refertuce lo the 

 report under the first. A few counties are yet inspected insuffi- 

 ciently to give the basis for a definite report, and thus are conse- 

 (H'.entl}' nor herein mentioned. 



In no other way would it be possible to obtain such a bird's eye 

 view of the horticultural conditions and plan of war against plant 

 pests in the State of Pennsylvania than in the study of these re- 

 ports. The Inspectors have not been coached or instructed what to 

 report in any regard, further than to give reports upon subjects 

 outlined to them in the following directions: 



"Give something concerning the conditoai of the San Jose Scale 

 in your district in the orchards which have been sprayed and 

 also in those Avhich have not been sprayed. What percentage of 

 trees are or have been infested? What interest are the people 

 taking in the work now, and what interest did they take two 

 years ago? What will be the results if we suspend this work at 

 the end of this year? How is the Inspector received in your 

 district? 



"What materials are used in spraying for scale? What results, 

 in general, are obtained with each respectively? What is the out- 

 look for fruit-growing in your district, and what can we do further 

 to help the farmers and fruit-growers, from the viewpoint of the 

 Insi>ectors who have been through their orchards?" 



The reports upon the relative merits of materials for spraying 

 for San Jos^ Scale are of exceeding interest, and show conclusions 

 which must be definite and assuring. The practical vindication of 

 this office in advocating the Lime-sulfur wash as the best and cheap- 

 est insecticide and fungicide to use in saving fruit trees from the 

 San elO'S^ Scale and other jjcsts for which spraying should be done 

 while the trees are dormant, is complete and gratifying. 



Not only do we ask the Inspectors what this office can further dO' 

 to help tlio farmers and fruit-growers, but we here ask the citizens 

 themselves to communicate with us upon this im])ortaut subject. 

 This work has been of the utmost value to the agriculturists of this 

 State, and the general sentiment is that it should not only be con- 

 tinued but enlarged. Pennsylvania is in the lead in certain lines 

 of caring for her agricultural resources, and the returns to the State 

 are many times the value of expenditures. 



We especially invite attention to the unmistakable evidences of 

 earnestness and enthusiasm which is shown by these Inspectors. 

 They are loyal to the cause in wiiich they are engaged and to the 

 persons in whose districts they give service. They wish to accom- 

 plish as much good as possible, and consequently deserve the sup- 

 port and encouragement of all persons interested. 



