THK MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



441 



two inches benoatli or within tlie surface, which, of course, gives great 

 protection to the insects. This is an unarinored scale and is also 

 possessed of a woolly secretion which fringes the body. ]Mr. Bruce J, 

 Drummond of the Department of Agriculture, who has had much 

 experience with thi.s scale, feels certain that it can be eradicated by the 

 carbolic emulsion and use of pruning tools and the torch. 



It goes without saying that extirpation is all important in our Cali- 

 fornia date groves, and now is the time. Even if this required total 

 destruction of affected plants, it would be the wise course. But from 

 the experience of Mr. Drummond and ]Mr. A. J. Shamblin, extirpation 

 does not require destruction. Most energetic means then should be 

 employed to eradicate these two pests at once. There are off-shoots now 

 in nursery rows, which are infested with these scales. These must not 



Fig. 106. — The Marlatt scale, Phanicococcns marlatti (Ckll.). 



(After Essig.) 



be allowed to move till every semblance of the insects is destroj^ed. A 

 drastic quarantine by state or county must corral all infested plants 

 now in orchard or nursery. An equally drastic inspection law must be 

 enforced that the scale shall not be further introduced. There will be a 

 session at the Los Angeles convention, November 11th to 14th, in ^vhich 

 the subject will be considered. This session ought to result in action 

 that would prove immensely valuable to the date industry and to our 

 State, in safeguarding what is destined to become a very important 

 industry. 



