THE REPORT OF THE 



No. 19 



people. Two years ago they had not seen trees killed by the scale ; now such cases are 

 frequent and they furnish an object lesson which cannot be misunderstood. Fruit growers 

 who find the scale on their trees, realize that something must be done and done without delay. 

 Experience now shows the wisdom of the methods adopted by the Department of Agriculture, 

 though so much objection was made at first. The only sure and perfectly effective remedy is 

 burbling up all infested trees. Had we begun our investigations a few years sooner we should 

 have succeeded in getting rid of the scale altogether in this Province, but when once introduced 

 into the country it is no easy matter to trace its whereabouts. 



In the fall of 1898 we started out with a long list of suspected nursery stock and on inves- 

 tigation found trees infested with the scale in 100 places. These trees were taken out and 

 burned as fast as they were found, and now the localities where they grew are entirely free 

 from the scale. This, together with the splendid wcrk that has been done in the nurseries, has 

 saved the country from a deluge of scale. 



Fig. 2. Portion of a branch infested with 

 the San Jose scale. 



Fig. 1. Pear infested with the San Jos^ scale. 



In the infested districts the increase and spread of the scale is very great indeed ; but 

 where we have treated the trees, even for one year, the insect is under control. The situation 

 is very much improved and I believe, from the results of our work, that by careful treatment 

 we can control the scale and preserve the fruitfulness of our trees. Where good work has been 

 done for one or two years, the results are such as to justify us in coming to this belief. If the 

 treatment were universal, the^-e would be no spread of the scale. 



In answer to questions Mr. Fisher said that many who formerly objected are now treating 

 their trees as they have learnt the necessity for it and seen the good results. The best time for 

 treatment is the month of April. No body of men sent out from the Department of Agricul- 

 ture could cover the affected territory within that month, it is therefore absolutely necessary 

 that the work should be done by the owners of the 'trees, who are, of course, the parties most 

 interested in the matter. 



