December 7, 1907 



nOKTlCULTUKJt- 



731 



killed by the winter and accidents, etc. The young and 

 immature insects are generally killed by the winter so 

 that only the half to two-thirds of the insects grown are 

 to be found in the spring. 



THE APPEAEAXCE OF THE SCALE 



One of the most important requisites in combating 

 the scale successfully, is the ability to recognize its 

 appearance before it is too late to save the infested 

 trees. This can only be done by a careful and thorough 

 inspection: looking especially at the two to four-year- 

 old W'ood. Another favorite habitat of the scale is at 

 the base of the buds. At the rings, caused by the 

 growth of the trees, they are also very apt to be found. 

 On the smooth bark their existence causes reddish spots. 

 If the tree is very badly infested, it will look as if ashes 

 had been thrown upon the branches, giving them a gray- 

 ish color. Many times the scales are so numerous that 

 they are found piled up on top of each other. If the 

 scales are lifted carefully with the point of a knife, 

 the insects will be seen beneath them. Upon pressing 

 them, a yellowish fluid oozes out. providing the insect is 

 alive. 



TREATMENT 



After discovering that the San Jose Scale is present, 

 the question of how to get rid of it, comes up. This in 

 itself is a good subject for a long discourse, but I shall 

 only_ attempt to give the results of others, who have 

 devoted much, if not all their time to this important 

 subject. The universal remedy is the application of the 

 lime and sulphur spray. Dr. H. T. Fernald of the 

 Massachusetts Experiment Station advocates the fol- 

 lowing :. 

 Lime, 22 pounds; sulphur, 20 pounds; water, 50 gallons. 



Mr. Franklin Sherman of the Xorth Carolina Ex- 

 periment Station considers the following formula very 

 satisfactory : 



Stone lime, Ij pounds; sulphur (flowers), 15 pounds; wa- 

 ter (to make), 50 gallons. 



These sprays should be put on just before the buds 

 swell in the spring. This spray is not only destructive 

 to this particular scale, but is a tonic to the tree and 

 will kill the other scales, oyster shell, scurvy, etc. 



There is a commercial spray called "Scaleside" put 

 up by B. G. Pratt Company, 11 Broadway, New York, 

 which seems to do good work. This is recommended 

 more for small orchards as its cost is greater than the 

 regular Lime-Sulphur spray, but does away with the 

 boiling process, which is always a source of incon- 

 venience. This mixture should be applied in the late 

 fall. 



There are several parasites which prey upon this 

 scale and also a "Two Stabbed Lady Bug." This lat- 

 ter has done good work in California, but it is not 

 wholly successful in Massachusetts. The orehardist 

 must bear in mind that spraying his orchard simply 

 once, will not free it from this national pest, but if he 

 does good conscientious work each year, the San Jose 

 Scale, while it will never probably be a thing of the 

 past, will cause him no serious loss. 



^.^.."^ 



•cryJvij/ 



Roses Under Glass 



LIQUID FERTILIZERS 



Plants which are being carried over a second year 

 should now be in a condition to thoroughly enjoy a stim- 

 ulant either in liquid form, or as a top dressing of good 

 mulch. Of all the kinds of liquid feeding, there is, 

 perhaps, none safer or more effective than that made 

 from fresh cow manure; certainly none is in more gen- 

 eral use. It contains all the elements necessary for 

 the purpose, and in safe proportions, being practically 

 free from the caustic properties so prevalent in most of 

 the prepared chemical foods. 



It is advisable to have two tanks for the preparation 

 of this liquid. The use of one is frequently attended by 

 choking of the pipes and faucets, a condition, which is, 

 to say the least, a nuisance, and productive of exceeding 

 bad temper among the men. The manure should be 

 placed in one of the tanks with water sufficiently 

 heated to cause speedy fermentation when the liquid 

 should be drained into the other tank and diluted to 

 the strength required. By the addition of sheep or hen 

 manure, results may be more quickly obtained, but the 

 nature of these results will be governed entirely by the 

 knowledge and judgment displayed in the admixture 

 of these powerful stimulants. 



For the first applications the liquid should be rather 

 weak, until the plants have become accustomed to this 

 class of food when the strength may be increased in 

 proportion as results warrant. Indiscriminate use of 

 liquid food sours the soil and eventually leads to dis- 

 aster, whereas, if properly handled, it will materially 

 aid in producing a good cut of high-grade flowers. 



Ammonia and nitrate of soda can, during certain 

 stages of growth, be emjiloyed witli benefit to the stock, 

 especially in hastening the development of a tardy crop, 

 but, as these stimulants are very powerful and immedi- 

 ate in their effects, the solution for a first application 

 should be very weak, one pound of either to 100 gallons 

 of water being quite strong enougli. The time when 

 roses can use liquid manure to best advantage is when 

 the young growths for a succeeding crop have attained 

 a length of two or three inches. An application shoiild 

 be given at least once a week until the buds are well 

 developed and begin to show color, when feeding should 

 be discontinued. 



During the short days of winter, when the hours of 

 sunshine are comparatively few, root action becomes 

 sluggish, vitality low, and the plants generally seem 

 inclined to obey nature's call for rest. Any check to 

 the growth at this period will inevitably result in 

 trouble, and while much may be gained by the use of 

 strong stimulants a weak solution applied more fre- 

 quentlv is less risky than strong doses. Careful watch- 

 ing to ascertain the wants of the plants, and to supply 

 these at the proper time is one of the principal duties 

 of the grower, and the ability which he displays in this 

 connection will be reflected in the quantity and quality 

 of the flowers throughout the season. Unhealthy, weak, 

 or mistreated stock is unable "to use food in this form, 

 and if applied, it will augment rather than diminish 

 any troubles the plants may be suffering from. 



Sprc'ckles, Cal. 



