THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 541 



GENERAL NOTES. 



QUARANTINE WORK IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. 



The itemized report for the month of February, 1913, from the Los- 

 Angeles Station of the State Quarantine Division shows sufficient impor- 

 tations of horticultural products into Southern California to indicate 

 a busy month for those having in charge the inspection of these 

 shipments. During the month 6,883 packages have arrived, been inter- 

 cepted and inspected. Some idea of the magnitude of this total may be 

 obtained when it is stated that 138 carloads of horticultural materials 

 were rated in it as parcels. 



Undeterred by the severe weather of the winter, the nurseries and 

 seed men give daily evidence of their confidence in the continued pros- 

 perity of the State. This fact is well illustrated by the statement that 

 200 bushels of orange seed were imported from Florida in February. 



To Mr. C. H. Vary belongs the credit for the most important capture 

 of the month. This consisted of a bale containing ten gardenias from 

 Georgia. This shipment was consigned to a resident of Los Angeles and 

 contained a bad infestation of citrus white fly {Aleyrodes citri.) This 

 package was accompanied by the customary certificate of inspection 

 carrying the assurance that the contents were clean and free from any 

 insect pests. 



During the month, five cars of deciduous nursery stock from Oregon 

 entered Los Angeles. Arrived at this point, they were broken up into= 

 individual shipments and sent out from this center throughout Southern 

 California. Preceding each consignment thus forwarded, notice was 

 sent from this office to each Quarantine Guardian notifying him of 

 material in transit to points within his jurisdiction. By this means a 

 careful and prompt inspection was secured for each shipment. 



To the Los Angeles County Horticultural Commissioner, our heartiest 

 thanks are due for the use of telephonic and office facilities. Owing to 

 the thorough co-operation accorded this branch of the State Quarantine 

 Division by Mr. Wood and his entire force it has been possible for the 

 quarantine work in Los Angeles and vicinity to go forward with the 

 required dispatch. — A. S. Hoyt. 



LADYBIRD BEETLES. 



We have collected this year many more of Hippodamia convergens^ 

 or our most common ladybird beetle, than ever before. Last year we 

 collected the most up to that time — forty-four million, or twelve hun- 

 dred boxes. This year we have collected fifty-three million, or sixteen 

 hundred boxes. 



There is a very general belief among the fruit and melon growers 

 that these ladybirds are a great help. We have reason to believe they 



