240 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 3 



Alms Honse farms and in other selected orchards, showing the actual 

 results that can be secured by spraying for the Codling Moth, has 

 accomplished more in stimulating an interest in and popularizing the 

 work of our department in Maryland than any other work that has 

 been undertaken. 



The Osage Orange Hedge 



I am unable to give actual data as to the general distribution of this 

 hedge plant, but it can be stated, that it is commonly employed as 

 a make-shift fence in the Central, Middle Atlantic and Southern 

 States of our union. Perhaps it is more abundant in Maryland, 

 Delaware, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kansas and adjoining states than in 

 many others where it is occasionally seen. The plant is indigenous from 

 eastern Kansas south through Arkansas and northeastern Texas, and 

 throughout the prairie regions of the Mississippi basin. As to its 

 occurrence in Maryland, I may state from actual observation that it 

 may be seen in any part of the state but four counties particularly 

 are badly afflicted with this nuisance. In these counties there are 

 undoubtedly far more miles of hedge than county roads. It is rather 

 peculiar that in those counties the fruit interests are far more pre- 

 dominant than in other counties of the state. In many instances, this 

 is practically the only fence on the farm. It thus serves as a division 

 fence between farms, as well as a supposed barrier for farm animals 

 between fields. 



The Osage Hedge furnishes an abundant food plant for the San 

 Jose scale, and as this pest is generally disseminated over the central 

 and eastern parts of the state, it follows that practically every hedge 

 is infested to a greater or less extent ; in fact I have not observed an 

 Osage Orange hedge that was not infested with scale. This condition 

 is no doubt true in other states where the two nuisances occur. Un- 

 fortunately, the plant is so vigorous that seldom will the scale kill it 

 outright. As hedges offer especial opportunity to the agencies which 

 aid in dissemination of the pest they will serve to infest fruit trees 

 considerable distances from them. 



As inspectors, we should be particularly interested in treatment or 

 destruction of the Osage hedge, only as it serves as an important and 

 widespread food plant for the San Jose scale. However, the hedge 

 may be condemned for other economic reasons, as follows : 



First. That seldom is there seen a hedge that will serve as a proper 

 fence. If it serves as a barrier to horses and cattle, it will contain 

 lioles, permitting hogs and sheep to pass through, and as a whole 

 may be considered worthless in barring our domestic animals. 



