REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 33 



long voyage on board steamers. I have learned that a number 

 of boxes of apples, well selected and carefully wrapped, were 

 sent to Manila, and arrived there in most excellent condition. 

 There is no doubt in my mind that China, Japan, the Philip- 

 pine Islands and Siberia, will consume all our fresh apples 

 and evaporated prunes and pears, if properly introduced in 

 those markets. Our fruit o;rowers should combine and send 

 someone to tlie Orient for this purpose — a man of business 

 training — one who enjoys the confidence and commands the 

 respect of his community. The business of these countries 

 are in the hands of the German, English, and Americans, I 

 am told, and tlierefore it requires some one wlio can come in 

 close touch witli these business people, and who will inspire 

 that confidence and possess that business integrity which 

 allows no failure. Tlie field is of such importance that it 

 should be taken in hand at once, and so vast that the end 

 can not now be seen. 



OUR FRIEND THE BEETLE. 



Before closing, I beg to report that our little friend (pentillia 

 mesilla) the coccenella beetle, which I first reported upon some 

 years ago, has increased and spread over a larger territory 

 than I anticipated, and has been feeding on San Jose scale 

 and oyster shell bark louse all winter, and am more than 

 gratified to find that it has extended its field of operation. 

 On examination of the woods adjacent to the infested orchards, 

 where scale has fastened on crabapple, liawthorne and other 

 shrubs, I find these same beetles industriously busy in their 

 work exterminating these various scales, so if the orchardist 

 will keep his orchard well sprayed, I feel confident that these 

 little friends of the fruitgrower will do the rest. 

 Respectfully submitted. 



Commissioner First District 



