198 The Ottawa Naturalist, [November 



Hy. Saunders, Dr. Law, Prof. Bowman, R. W. Rennie, London. 



The whole of the afternoon of the opening- session was 

 devoted to a discussion of the San Jos^ scale, Prof. Dearness 

 introducing- the subject with a paper in which he traced the intro- 

 duction of the San Jos^ scale into California, and stating- that it 

 probably made its first appearance in Ontario about the year 

 1887. He also g-ave an interesting- account of the trip taken by 

 the San Jos^ Scale Commission in visiting the infested districts, 

 and thought that by a judicious application of whale-oil soap the 

 scale might be controlled in Ontario if not altogether eradicated. 



Prof. Webster gave the result of his experience in fighting 

 this pest in Ohio, and said that it was of the utmost importance 

 that the work of spraying the infested trees should be controlled 

 by some one man, this man to be responsible for the proper carry- 

 ing out of this work. The fruit growers not knowing the nature 

 of this scale could not be relied upon, he said, to use the proper 

 solution at the proper time. 



Prof. Lochhead gave an account of certain infested orchards 

 in Ontario and was of opinion that the scale would not develop as 

 rapidly in this cold climate as it does in the south. He thought it 

 would be a capital idea if Public School inspectors in the province 

 were supplied with samples of the scale, in order that they might 

 show the same to the school children, pointing out the pernicious 

 character of this insect, and in this manner the public would be 

 informed generally. 



Mr. Fisher mentioned that there are only three points in On- 

 tario at which the infestation has extended to any great propor- 

 tions, and spoke of the great rapidity with which the scale in- 

 creases. He also spoke of interesting observations which he had 

 made in connection with his endeavors to control this insect. 



Dr. Fletcher also referred to the scale as the most dangerous 

 pest fruit growers have to contend against, but stated it could be 

 successfuly treated if specialists who understood their work could 

 be secured and fruit growers taught that they and the whole coun- 

 try were concerned. He complimented the Ontario Minister of 

 Agriculture upon the steps taken to stamp out the scale. 



Prof. James, representing the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, 

 spoke of the magnitude of the task confronting the Department, 



