No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 171 



fest, almost generally since a more thorough knowledge of the sub- 

 ject has come to the people by reading the Zoological Bulletins 

 and the innumerable references to our work appearing in the county 

 papers. It has been my experience, that nearly all the publishers 

 of county papers are glad to have articles to print, especially when 

 they do not require re-editing. 



It would be diflicult to estimate the loss to the fruit-growing in 

 dustry of the State, should the work now being carried on in the 

 interest of the farmers and fruit growers, be discontinued. The 

 thought now entertained by many observers is that unless the work 

 as now conducted be kept up and some enforcement of law be made 

 respecting the control of destructive insects and diseases, that the 

 future of fruit-growing will resolve itself into a specialized profes- 

 sion, conducted by men who will give their entire time and attention 

 to that which appeals to them as being the most elevating of all 

 agricultural pursuits, viz: the production of fine fruits. 



In the large majority of instances, the work of inspection in my 

 district has been accorded satisfactory recognition and respect. This 

 condition is ofttimes due to the items appearing in the local news- 

 papers, announcing my presence in a certain section, on an orchard 

 inspection tour. 



The spray material most generally used for San Jos6 Scale is the 

 Lime-sulfur formula, although a number of the peach growers of 

 Snyder county were induced to try "Target Brand" soluble oil, which 

 most of them admitted as not proving as good as lime and sulphur. 

 The results from the spraying varied in accordance with the thor- 

 oughness of application. In many instances, which are well known, 

 the Scale has been well controlled. 



For the further help and encouragement of our fruit growers, I 

 would suggest a continuation of the service at present being ren- 

 dered, with such further help as can be given by an increased appro- 

 priation. 



Philadelphia County. 

 Inspector, M. E. Shay. 



District: Delaware and Philadelphia counties. 

 See report of Inspector Shay under Delaware county. 



Potter County. 



Inspector, M. L. Benn. 



District: Potter and Tioga counties. 



Demonstration orchard at Coudersport in charge of Inspector 

 Benn. 



Although this district is infested only to a small degree with San 

 Jos^ Scale, it has a worthy substitute in the universally prevalent 

 Oyster-Shell Scale. Every old apple orchard is infested, and having 

 the sap sucked out, much to the weakening of the tree and the de- 

 teriorating of the quality of the fruit. Nor is this the only dam 

 age. Within the same year or next, after young orchards are 

 planted, the Scale is carried to them and henceforth their struggl.^ 

 for existence begins. I find young orchards, nf^arly every week, with 

 a majority of the trees being held back from three to five years in 

 their growth and fruitfulness by this insignificant substitute for 

 San Jo'S^ Scale. The inspection for San Jos6 Scale is of great im- 

 portance in this slightly infested district in that the finding and 



