No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 167 



it would continue to be if this public work was continued. How- 

 ever, the seed of care in fruit culture has been sown and some of 

 the results will perpetuate careful methods. The enthusiasm of the 

 farmers and fruit growers is assurance of cordial reception to the 

 Inspectors. 



The spray material in common favor is the home-boiled Lime-sul- 

 fur wash; some have used banner lye, but that not only killed the 

 San Jos6 Scale but also damaged the bark of the trees. 



The results are most favorably when Lime-sulfur wash is used, 

 though good results have in a few instances been obtained by a 

 careful application of some other material. 



In every case thorough spraying is indispensible to good results. 

 The outlook is a good one for those who carefully spray and prune 

 their trees. The people are glad to get advice and can be materially 

 aided by a continuation of the work of the Division of Zoology. 



Mercer County. 

 Inspector, J. W. Cox. 

 District: Lawrence and Mercer counties. 

 See report of Inspector Cox under Lawrence county. 



Mifflin County. 

 Inspector, James Bergy. 



District: Huntingdon, Juniata and Mifflin counties. 

 Demonstration orchard at Lewistown, in charge of Mr. Bergy. 

 See report of Mr. Bergy under Huntingdon county. 



Montgomery County. 



Inspector, J. S. Briggs. 



District: Montgomery county. 



Demonstration orchard at Norristown, Pa., in charge of Inspector 

 Briggs. 



I will make my territorial report brief and pointed, not knowing 

 how much space you have for a report. I could make it long, for 

 considering the time spent much could be said, but I know that it 

 is not wanted in this case. 



About forty-five demonstrations in spraying have been given, 

 about twenty addresses on life habits, history and treatment of the 

 three chief Scale insects, viz: San Jos^, Scurfy and Oyster Shell, 

 aside from those given at the demonstrations, in High Schools, 

 Grange Meetings, Farmers' Clubs and Haverford College. 



With but one exception I have been received kindly, that party is 

 said to have dismissed his wife when she united with the church 

 and it is said he horsewhipped a hired boy until the neighbors inter- 

 fered. I told him I was going to inspect his premises whether he 

 wanted it or not and I did it. 



Farmers and fruit growers admit there never has been such an 

 interest in this work before. More spraying was done this last year 

 than in all x>i'evious years together. About 25,000 new trees have 

 been planted in this county this year. Many have made a financial 

 success of their orchards. One man alone cleared $G,000. Old or- 

 chards have been restored and the Scale held in check. The people 

 generally look upon the work of our Department as a good work. 



