142 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



mulching. He has received good results from practicing it. If, however, mulching 

 material cannot be had he would then cultivate. From other men who spoke tliroughout 

 the meeting it seems that the growers on the west side of the State and those on the east 

 side differ generally as to the value of cultivation as compared with mulching — tlie western 

 men keeping the ground in the orchard clean in the spring and early summer, following 

 with cover crop, while the eastern men lean toward sod culture. It should not 

 be assumed from this tliat the eastern men are behind the times but that the conditions 

 they have to meet appear to warrant what they do. Mr. Simmons impressed his hearer 

 with the necessity of thorough spraying and favored light pruning annually to heavy 

 cutting away of tops every three or four years. 



In the general discussion following a rather hmnorous argument took place in which 

 a grower stated that he did not mix his Paris green witli the Bordeaux mixture as he 

 thought it gave the spray a taste that was not to the liking of the millers (codling moth). 

 Prof. Taft then said that the millers did not eat because they had no mouth parts but rather 

 sucked up their food through a tube-like appendage. The grower tlien reported that 

 if the miller, "which he was still after" sucked, he would surely get the liquid upon the 

 limbs while they were in the moistened condition. Prof. Taft closed the debate by stating 

 that tjie control of the scab and fungous diseases was more essential during the early 

 part of the season than the spraying for the codling moth and therefore, the Bordeaux 

 should be given first consideration. It was also argued that if the Bordeaux was distasteful 

 to the moth it would act as a repellent. 



THE SAN JOSE AND OTHER LITTLE THINGS. 



In his characteristic clear and logical manner. Prof. Taft , of the Agricultural College, dealt 

 with this important subject. He asked all those who were able to identify the San Jose 

 scale to raise their hands, whereupon about one-fourtli of the audience responded. When 

 asked, "Who have it in their orchards?" a very large majority of the right hands in the 

 room were in the air. This, with the close attention given to Prof. Taft's talk, showed 

 that the pest is the one great concern of the fruit growers of that section of the State. 

 The scale attacks all kinds of fruit and a very large number of our ornamental plants. 

 There seems to be some varieties that are more enjoyed than others by the little insects 

 - — for example, the sour cherry is not likely to be badly attacked although cases are known 

 to the contrary. 



On the fruit the scale may be seen as a red spot with a black dot in the center. There 

 are similar black dots and red spots that are the result of a fungous disease. The scale 

 can be told from the fungous by passing the thumb nail over the spot and if the black dot 

 is easily removed it is tlie scale. 



The oyster shell bark louse was next described so that it would not be mistaken for 

 the San Jose scale. The shell of this louse is long and much larger than that of the scale. 

 If the scale is crushed, oil exudes, which is not the case with the oyster shell. The 

 scurfy scale is about eight or ten times as large as the San Jose scale. 



In treating for the scale one should first prune away all parts of the tree that can be 

 wisely removed and burn the prunings. Then if one is sure he can give the time when it 

 is demanded, just before the blossoms begin to swell apply a spray of lime and sulphur 

 wash. If time is pressing then it can be done earlier. The wash is made by using fifteen 

 pounds of sulphur, 25 pounds of lime, to each 50 gallons of water. Place 20 gallons of 

 water in a kettle or barrel, if steam is used for boiling, and heat near to the boiling point. 

 Put in the lime (stone) and allow to slake when the sulphur which is made into a paste 

 by the addition of a little water, is added and the mixture thoroughly stirred. The liquid 

 is then boiled for about an hour, after which sufficient water is put in to make up the re- 

 quired 50 gallons. This water need not be warmed. If, however, one can secure warm 

 water for this purpose he can cook a more concentrated solution and thereby manufacture 

 a larger amount of the spray at one time. 



Bordeaux need not be mixed with the lime and sulphur as it is a fungicide of merit. 

 This saves the spraying with the Bordeaux just before blossoming time. The lime and 

 sulphur cleans the trees of old bark. One should go over the trees and allow the spray 

 to dry, after which all parts that are seen uncovered can be readily coated. 



BEAUTIFYING THE HOME SURROUNDINGS. 



Prof. L. R. Taft very kindly took up the discussion of the theme in a manner that was 

 greatly enjoyed. After a short preliminary talk on the general consideration that should 

 be given to the home surroundings, the speaker dwelt upon the importance of a good 

 lawn and the care of the same. It is the background of the whole landscape and for this 

 reason should receive the best attention. Often in the towns and cities it becomes necessary 



