No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 141 



REPORTS BY COUNTIES. 



Adams County. 



Inspector, J. I). Herr. 



District : Adams, Berks and Southern Lancaster counties. 



The percentage of orchards infested witli San Jos6 Scale in my en- 

 tire territory is 99 per cent, and a fraction. While the percentage 

 of individual trees so infested is naturally less, I estimate this at 85 

 per cent, of apple trees, the varieties most susceptible to the rapid 

 spread of the San Jos6 Scale seem to be Domini, Ben Davis and 

 Grimes' Golden; of pear trees the Bartlett and Seckel. Apples and 

 pear trees have Scurfy Scale generally, although serious injury from 

 this scale is confined to young trees. Kieffer pear is usually exempt 

 from San Josd Scale. 



In only about six orchards have I found Oyster Shell Scale, al- 

 though Lilacs are usually, and Carolina Poplars often, covered, often 

 several layers deep with Oyster Shell Scales. By the puncture in 

 many of these shells it is evident that Chalcid flies are aiding in 

 holding them in check. 



Lecanium Scale is no longer much found on peach and plum, its 

 disappearance being no doubt largely due to parasitism by Chalcid 

 flies. 



The few infestations of Putnam's Scale on ornamental trees found 

 show unmistakably the same parasitism. 



Cherry trees, both propagated and seedling, are becoming gener- 

 ally infested with San Jos6 Scale.* So are roses and even to a less 

 extent quince and sour cherry. 



The conditions of orchards where Scale have been present for six 

 years or longer, and not treated, grades gently down from that con- 

 dition of moderate infestation (if an orchard) in which the foliage 

 shows olive green and drops early in the season, twigs being slightly 

 covered with Scale, though that in which the bark of the entire 

 tree is covered over with innumerable millions of Scales, while the 

 ends of twigs or limbs are already dead, to that where the trees have 

 been ppisoned by the pest and are found already dead. In fact, 

 whole orchards, having been killed, appear as though a fire had 

 passed over them. Some of these orchards can be recognized one- 

 half mile away. (It must not be concluded that I make my inspec- 

 tions at this distance.) 



Of the total number of orchards in my three counties, many have 

 been treated (sprayed). I would estimate for farm orchards fully 

 15 per cent, having been sprayed, while all commercial orchards 

 are now sprayed. 



The material for spraying mostly used in Lancaster and Berks 

 counties is Lime-sulphur solution. Tw'o years ago this was used 

 exclusively there. Since that time some have begun the use of 

 Miscible oils, including the home-made oil. In the Adams county 

 fruit district the large growers using Lime-snlfur exclusively are 

 comparatively few, although they are most enthusiastic in its 

 praises. The use of oils here is general, with Target Brand in the 

 lead.f The strengths at which oils are used averages about 1 to 6. 



As to the insecticidal effects of spraying with the several mater- 

 ials, there are very few who do not recognize the superiority of Lime- 



•I believe this does not apply to sour cherry trees. — H. A. S. 



tThis remark refers to the quantity used rather than to the beneficial effects. — H. A. S. 



