THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 417 



trees. We will endeavor to give a practical demonstration of this in several places 

 by destroying the ants and adding quantities of parasites and predators from else- 

 where. 



Our program at the branch insectary includes studies and experiments in Argen- 

 tine ant control, working with bands, poisons and trap nests. This ant must be 

 checked in order that the natural enemies may become effective. 



The distribution and following up of the Sicilian mealybug parasite is an im- 

 portant part of the work. We hope to colonize this valuable parasite in large num- 

 bers during the next season. A colony of over 25,000 was put out in Ventura 

 County during September. We are working with several newly-introduced lady- 

 birds as well as with OryptolamttS and some native predators such as the brown 

 lacewing and the Leucopis. 



Besides the practical work enumerated above, considerable research work must 

 be done on the habits of the various natural enemies of which we hope to make 

 use. We also expect to find out exactly what mortality occurs in the parasites and 

 predators when the orchards are fumigated. 



During tin' past summer thousands of beneficial insects have been distributed in 

 the citrus groves from the insectary, ami next year, as we become better equipped, 

 it is expected that our colonization will increase to many times the present extent. 



G. H. H. 



FLORIDA PLANT BOARD EXTENDS COURTESIES. 



Mr. A. S. Hoyt. as the representative of the California State Commission of 

 Horticulture, was accorded a most cordial reception by Florida Plant Commissioner 

 Wilmon Newell and his staff, during a recent trip to study citrus canker in the 

 Gulf States. 



Mr. Newell placed at Mr. Iloyt's disposal the records on file in the plant com- 

 missioner's office, thus giving him access to information that will prove of great 

 value to tin' citrus interests of the state. Liberal arrangements were made for man- 

 ning inspection trips through the citrus groves of Florida, where district inspec- 

 tors gave our representative most favorable opportunities to make his own obser- 

 vations on citrus canker. 



We are under lasting obligations to Mr. Newell and the State Plant Board of 

 Florida, and we take great pleasure in acknowledging and recording, in the pages 

 of our Monthly Bulletin, our appreciation of the many courtesies extended. 



G. H. H. 



THE GULF STATES AND CITRUS CANKER. 



The citrus fruit growers of the Gulf States have been brought face to face with a 

 serious situation in the fight with citrus canker which was introduced into these 

 states a few years ago. The State Commission of Horticulture, realizing the 

 importance of this new disease, desired to secure adequate information concerning 

 it, by means of which to improve our quarantine and to facilitate the prompt action 

 needed for its eradication should it be introduced into California. To obtain this 

 information Field Deputy A. S. Hoyt was sent to Florida to investigate and to 

 study in the field the work of eradication of this disease. 



From the report of this investigation it is evident that the serious nature of 

 citrus canker can not easily' be exaggerated. The greatest credit is due the fruit 

 growers of Florida, the pioneers in the work of its eradication, for their courage in 

 undertaking such a task — without a parallel in horticultural history — and for the 

 consistent support which they have since given this movement. The campaign to 

 wipe out citrus canker in Florida is carried on by the United States Department 

 of Agriculture in cooperation with the Florida State Plant Board under the per- 

 sonal direction of Florida Flant Commissioner Mr. Wilmon Newell, and has made 

 such remarkable progress as to justify the most encouraging predictions as to its 

 final outcome. Efficiency, energy and enthusiasm for the work is the combination 

 needed to win, and that combination exists today in Florida. 



Nothing could be further from our mind than the desire to profit from the mis- 

 fortune to our sister state, but the fullest consideration to this principle does not 

 preclude us from availing ourselves of the valuable lesson which may be learned 

 from the costly experience with citrus canker in Florida, and this lesson stated 

 briefly is that adequate quarantine, and inspection of groves, nurseries and nursery 

 shipments is necessary if we are to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases 

 and insects likely to cause :i decrease in crop production in California. G. H. H. 



