26 The Bulletin. 



This idea is incorrect and harmful. We wish to give every person con- 

 cerned full information about the San Jose Scale, and the remedies for 

 it, and it is left largely for each man to adopt his own course in caring 

 for his own trees. Our plan is to show the danger, and to point out the 

 remedy, and to keep those whose trees are infested informed as to the 

 proper means of control. But it is wholly impossible for the Depart- 

 ment to follow up all cases and compel treatment, even if there were a 

 desire to do so. The scale is now known to exist on the premises of 

 nearly 1,200 persons, and in nearly all the counties of the State. 



We want the name and address of every person whose trees are infested 

 with San Jose Scale, merely in order that we may help, not to destroy. 

 Those who have been long in touch with us understand these facts, and 

 we hope they will help us by getting their neighbors whose trees are in- 

 fested or suspected to write to us, sending sample twigs for examination. 

 Every person who thinks his trees are infested should make sure by send- 

 ing twigs with his name and address plainly written on the package, and 

 a letter of explanation. Even two or three twigs in the envelope with the 

 letter will often be enough. It is mainly those who do not know that 

 their trees are infested, or who are not fully informed on the subject of 

 controlling the scale, or who are indifferent, that are losing their trees 

 from attacks of this pest. 



It should be said that the laws of the State do give power to compel 

 the treatment of trees, or to compel them to be destroyed if the owner 

 will not treat them. But this power is seldom used, and then only in the 

 most extreme cases where a man's neighbors complain of him continu- 

 ally, and where no appeal to his reason has effect. It is necessary that 

 there should be such power, but it is equally necessary that it shall not 

 be used hastily, or when there is no serious need for it. 



