SCALE-INSECTS, BARK-LICE, MEALY-BUGS. . 233 
with them as regards the scale, and as so much has been written 
about the insect and the remedies in pamphlets that are accessible 
to all interested in the matter, it is not necessary to mention them 
at this time, especially as the insect can still be prevented to 
spread in our state. By all means the best, and in the end the 
cheapest way, is to destroy the trees that harbor such insects 
in large numbers. Quite recently Profs. Smith and Webster 
have sent out circulars in which they state that pure kerosene oil, 
sprayed upon the bare trees during a day with sufficient wind 
to evaporate this oil very rapidly, would kill the insects without 
injury to the trees. Perhaps. it will, and it would be a sort of 
patriotic action on the part of some of you to sacrifice a few 
trees, or rather to run the risk of doing so to try the remedy. 
Soaking the bark of such an infested tree with oil and burning 
it is also recommended; I suppose on the principle that burning 
a house will kill all the bed-bugs! 
Since the above was written Prof. Smith and others have 
made many very ¢areful experiments with kerosene oils, both 
with crude and illuminating oils. It was found that crude 
petroleum, if used in winter, was a perfect remedy, providing, 
however, that the oil was not too heavy. It should have a specific 
gravity of 43° or over on the Beaume oil scale, but it is not 
necessary to go above 45°. Such crude oil is sold, at about 
8 cents per gallon, by Mr. W. P. Cutler, 738 Bourse Building, 
Philadelphia, Pa.; it is not sold as crude petroleum, but as in- 
secticide oil. Of course any crude oil, if not mixed and of the 
specific gravity mentioned above, will be effective; but it must 
be a paraffin and not an asphaltum oil. This oil does not thicken 
except in very cold weather, and can be used either unmixed or 
mixed with water if a good spraying pump is used. The light 
and volatile naphthas enter and kill the insects beneath the scales, 
and the remaining vaseline coats the whole sprayed surface, and 
remaining there for a long time kills all the young scale-insects 
that come in contact with it. It seems that the crude oil acts 
also as a fertilizer. 
Recommendations. 1.—Every orchard that has been set out 
within the last six years should be thoroughly examined to 
ascertain whether or not the San Jose Scale is present. 
