THE RED SCALE OF ORANGE. 57 



When an orange or lemon tree assumes a sickly appear- 

 ance, and in warm weather is swarming with little black 

 ants, look to the tree at once, and upon a very cursory 

 examination it will be found to be suffering from the 

 attacks of this or some other scale. If of an orange-red 

 colour it will doubtless be this pest. If the plants are 

 small it will be a comparatively easy matter, with the 

 aid of a good spray pump, to clean them, but it must 

 be done thoroughly to be at all effective. Thin out 

 as many branches as possible and burn them at once. 

 If the tree be in fruit, and the latter found to be affected 

 also, take the fruit off at once and either clean by 

 washing in a tub of soft soapsuds or destroy it, as the 

 case may be. Then procure the emulsion or the resin 

 compound before mentioned, and give the whole tree a 

 thorough spraying with the hot mixture previously 

 alluded to. Having done this, get some lime with a little 

 sulphur and soft soap added, and with a brush wash 

 thoroughly the stem and larger branches of the tree. If 

 any shrubs are in the way, so as to prevent a free circu- 

 lation of air into and around the tree, remove them if 

 possible, as orange and lemon trees in particular require 

 plenty of room and free space to grow in, that is, if they 

 are to grow well. Keep the tree as vigorous as possible, 

 and do not be contented with one or two sprayings, or 

 even more if found necessary, because when this scale 

 makes its appearance it usually " comes to stay," as our 

 American friends say, and is by no means an enemy to 

 be either despised or treated lightly. 



In the drier districts of Victoria especially this scale 

 would seem to flourish most alarmingly, but by adopting 

 the precaution here given growers will, we hope, be able 

 to deal with it effectually. To do this co-operation must 

 be resorted to, as pests of most kinds, if neglected, soon 

 spread from place to place, when the task of attempting 

 to exterminate them becomes no doubt a most formidable 

 one. 



Amongst other supposed remedies against insect pests, 

 all and sundry, is one in whicli I must confess to have no 



