150 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off, Doc. 



Bucks County. 



Inspector, E. L. Loux. 



District: Buclis county. 



Demonstration orchard at Farm School, Pa., in charge of E. L. 

 Loux. 



Since taking charge of the work of orchard inspection and demon- 

 stration in Bucks county about June 15, 19U7, about one-half of the 

 orchards have been inspected. 



Of the inspected orchards more than 05 per cent, have San Jos6 

 Scale, varying greatly, however, in the degree of infestation. A 

 small fraction of the trees of the county have been killed by Scale, 

 and the great majority are not yet so severely injured that it is not 

 possible by proper spraying, pruning and cultivation to again put 

 them in profitable shape. 



During the past year, in the unsprayed orchards the intensity 

 of Scale infestation has greatly increased, and prompt, decisive 

 action will be necessary to save most of them. 



As compared with a date as late 1906, the number of fruit 

 growers who spray their orchards for the destruction of Scale has 

 very rapidly increased and our State work is largely responsible 

 for this. This is especially noted by the greater per cent, of increase 

 in the districts inspected. In a few instances, owing to the use 

 of inferior material or else on account of exceedingly careless work, 

 the spraying has not been successful, but in the great majority of 

 cases the Scale has been controlled, although there generally has 

 been some reinfestation. 



Fruit growers are beginning to see the absolute necessity of sci- 

 entific orchard work. The interest in the subjcn-t is steadily increas- 

 ing and farmers' clubs and kindred organizations are working hard, 

 hand in hand, with us in this work. 



Frequent talks are given, by invitation, to these organizations. 

 The newspapers also cordially invite the discussion of the subject. 

 This is in marked contrast to the state of affairs two vears ago. 



There are frequent requests for the reinspection of orchards, and 

 the advice of the Department is very frequently asked either by 

 personal interview or by correspondence. It would destroy this 

 increasing interest to discontinue our work now, and the subject 

 could not also well be made a prominent feature of the Farmers' 

 Institutes. 



Many who at first were inclined to criticise our work are. now 

 among our best helpers. 



Every courtesy is being extended to us in the district, both in our 

 personal work and in the matter of correspondence. Strong evi- 

 dence of interest in our work and desire for assistance is manifested. 



The principal materials used in this county for the destruction 

 of Scale are: Lime-sulfur, Caustic Soda, Scalecide, Kill-0-Scale and 

 Target Brand Scale Destroyer. 



In each case where Lime-sulfur, either home-made or commercial, 

 has been used, if the same was properly prepared and thoroughly 

 applied, the ravages of Scale have been checked. Every failure to 

 do so can be easily traced to a definite cause. In no single ease 

 has any injury been done to the trees. 



On the other hand, while the soda and the oils are used, while 

 in most cases they will kill a fair percentage of Scale, there is in a 

 number of instances serious injury, especially to young trees. 



