No. 7. , DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 173 



Fully ininety per cent, of the orchards visited are infested with 

 San Jos^ Scale. Nearly all of these orchards are those planted 

 within the last two years. I met instances where whole peach and 

 plum orchards had been lost or rather killed by the Scale. In some 

 inslances they had sprayed. The proper material had not been used, 

 or it was not propeily prepared and applied. 



The people are, however, awakening to the need of making proper 

 and (imely moves to rid themselves of this pest. This was largely 

 brought about by the inspectors sent out by this department going 

 to the orchards, and coming in contact with each and every farmer 

 and fruit grower personally. 



Talks were given at granges and farmers' picnics throughout this 

 section. We always had fair sized audiences, many questions were 

 asked, as well as requests received by mail from other sections of 

 the county for inspections to be made, and quite a few where they 

 have sprayed and request re-inspection. 



Materials used in spraying were principally home-boiled lime and 

 sulphur, and commercial lime and sulphur, also some of the insecti- 

 cides, such as Scalecide and Kill-0-Scale. From my observations 1 

 would say that the lime and sulphur, either commercially prepared 

 or made on the premises, have given best satisfa.ction. 



I would also state that the instructions on pruning and orchard 

 cultivation given by this Department has done good work. There 

 are quite a few requests for instructions on pruning of young or- 

 chards. Now a word on the demonstration orchard; Schuylkill 

 county feels that it should have a demonstration orchard. The sit- 

 uation at the County Home so far as the trees are concerned is per- 

 haps not the best for showing work on a demonstration orchard. 

 But from what I can learn they are about ready and willing to make 

 some reasonable move in starting a young orchard. 



I hope this may be taken into consideration all around and that 

 next vear Schuvlkill countv will have a demonstration orchard. 



1/ t' *. 



The Inspector meets fair and cordial treatment at nearly every 

 place to which he goes; especially after the people are informed 

 as to his mission. The newspapers of the county have been very 

 generous to the Inspector and in many instances paved the way. 



In conclusion, I would say that the work is only fairly begun, the 

 interest of the people in the preservation of their fruit and other 

 trees, subject to this pest in town and farm is increasing. And to 

 stop this work would be a step backwards. 



Snyder County. 

 Inspector, T. C. Foster. 



District: Perry, Snyder and Union counties. 

 See report of Inspector Foster under Perry county. 



Susquehanna County. 

 Inspector, A. 0. Finn. 



District: Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties. 

 See report of Inspector Finn under Lackawanna county. 



Tioga County. 



Demonstration orchard at Wellsboro in charge of Inspector M. L. 

 Benn. '' 



See report of Inspector Benn under Potter county. 



