552 



REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



of those States, as there have "been certain cases where lots of cocoons 

 have been received at the filature which were the results of collec- 

 tions naade from many different raisers and whicli were possibly not 

 raised in the State from which they were purchased. 



REPORTS OF AGENTS. 

 EEPORT ON REMEDIES FOR THE COTTONY CUSHION-SCALE. 



By D. W. Coquillett, Special Agent, 



LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, 



Sir: The following pages comprise my report upon the experiments to destroy the 

 Cottony Cushion-scale (Icerya purchasi, Maskell). 



In accordance with your letter of instruction I proceeded to Los Angeles on the 

 9th of February, 1886, and had a conference with the County Horticultural Com- 

 mission relative to the best place for me to to locate in order to study to the best ad- 

 vantage the life-history and habits of the Cottony Cushion-scale, and they assured 

 me that they could find such a location in the city of Los Angeles, but wanted time 

 to enable them to make the necessary arrangements. Accordingly I returned to 

 Anaheim, and on the 15th of February again visited Los Angeles, and was shown 

 several orchards, in either of which I could carry on my investigations. I chose 

 the Wolf skill orchard as offering the best opportunities for my studies, and was not 

 a little influenced in my choice by the fact that I would thereby secure the aid of 

 the superintendent of this orchard, Mr. Alexander Craw, whom I found to be a 

 most careful and accurate observer of the habits of insects in general, and who has 

 had considerable experience in combating scale insects of various kinds. 



In this orchard I carried on my experiments with various remedies for the de- 

 struction of the Cottony Cushion-scale, and it was here that the gi'eater number of 

 my observations upon the history and habits of this insect were made; but I also 

 studied it in many of the other orchards and yards in various parts of this city. 



On the 18th of Juno, 1885, the board of supervisors of Los Angeles County passed 

 an ordinance relating to the destruction of insect pests. In accordance with this 

 ordinance the office of County Board of Horticultural Commissioners was estab- 

 lished, and Messrs. J. R. Dobbins, George Rice, and 8 McICinley were appointed to 



