•^54 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



existed for some years on the trees where it was 

 found. So that there might be no mistake as 

 to the identity of the species, specimens were 

 sent to Dr. Howard, United States Entomol- 

 ogist, who confirmed Mr. Palmer's opinion.* 

 In a most interesting report sent to me by 

 Mr. Palmer on the insect injuries of the year, 

 he writes of the matter as follows : — 



"Victoria, B.C., Dec. 10. — I am sorry to 

 report that I have found San Jose Scale in two 

 orchards on Vancouver Island. The infested 

 trees have been destroyed, and, of course, 

 trees and bushes in their vicinity will be 

 closely looked after the coming season. I 

 may say that the popular opinion that San 

 Jose Scale will kill the trees in three years, is 

 not borne out by observations made here on 

 these infested trees. One of them, at any 

 rate, had apparently been infested for a much 

 longer period, and it was still growing. I 

 find it difficult to detect the presence of the 

 scales on the trees, or, rather, very close 

 I observation is required. In both of the above 

 cases my attention was drawn to them by the 

 characteristic marking of the fruit growing on 

 the trees, caused by the insect." 



"Victoria, B.C., Dec. 'l^.—Re San Jose 

 Scale : I send you part of the infested wood 

 and twigs I have. It is rather dried up now, 

 but when fresh the characteristic marking of the twigs, leaves and fruit, due to the work 

 of the insect, was very evident, and there was no doubt as to the identity. It was the 

 bright discoloration of the fruit which first drew my attention to the presence of the 

 insects in both the cases found. A microscopic examination was also made on my return 

 to Victoria, which confiims this opinion." — R. M. Palmer. 



The limits of distribution of the San Jose Scale, like those of all other insects, are 

 undoubtedly controlled to a large extent by climate. It has been found from long con- 

 tinued observation that both animals and plants are restricted in their distribution to 

 what have been called " life zones," which are determined, according to Dr. C. H. 

 Merriam, the eminent zoologist, " by the total quantity of heat during the season of 

 growth and reproduction." The San Jose Scale occurs more or less in all the States 

 lying to the south of the great lakes, and although the data upon which life zones could 

 be laid down accur^ately in Canada are too meagre to be of use in consideration of the 

 question whether this insect would be likely to spread and become a serious enemy of 

 the fruit grower in Canada, there is no doubt that it must be regarded as a very pos- 

 sible danger, at any rate in those parts of Ontario which lie along the north shore of 

 Lake Erie, extending perhaps from the County of Essex to the County of Wentworth. 

 It was supposed at one time that the San Jos^ Scale would not thrive east of the Rocky 

 Mountains, but we now know that this supposition was erroneous ; therefore, all fruit 

 growers, particularly in that part of Ontario mentioned above, are urged to be keenly on 

 the alert to watch for and report promptly any occurrence of this or any other scale 

 insect which resembles it, either in their orchards or upon young nursery stock imported 

 from the United States. In cases of doubt, specimens should be forwarded for examina- 

 tion, as soon as detected. 



Fig. 14. — Pear attacked by San .Jose Scale ; 

 6, seal'; much enlarged. 



•Since the above was written two other instances have come to my knowledge of trees in Canada being 

 infested with San Jose Scale, and samples have been received and examined. One infestation is at 

 Chatham, Ont., the other at Niagara, Ont. Every care ia being taken in both places, to eradicate this 

 serious enemy of the fruit grower. — J. F. 



