14 



Codling moth. — In the past four or five years the average damage 

 caused by this insect has been less than 10 per cent. It is generally 

 thought that this low percentage of damage is due to the cool nights 

 of the region, to some extent aided b}'^ the prevailing fresh winds. 

 Inasmuch as the damage occasioned by this insect in Snake River Valley 

 is always large, while on the uplands 2,000 feet higher and only 1 to 

 3 miles distant the loss is nearly always small, considerable weight is 

 given to this opinion. Nevertheless in occasional orchards in the 

 uplands the loss has in certain years, notabl}' 1898, reached as high as 

 25 and even 10 per cent. This is commonly ascribed to the peculiari- 

 ties of the particular season, which may be the true explanation; but 

 in view of the newness of the orchards it can not be considered as 

 demonstrated. 



San Jose scale. — Up to four years ago this insect was not known to 

 occur in the interior uplands, and it was generally believed that it 

 could not thrive there. Its occurrence in at least 1 orchards located 

 at an altitude of about 2,000 feet has dispelled this notion. In each 

 case, however, the spread of the insect in the orchard has been very 

 slow, so that but little damage has been caused though no attempt 

 has been made to destroy it. These facts would seem to point strongly 

 to the conclusion that outside of the peach-growing districts the San 

 Jose scale is not likely to prove a serious menace. In ever}^ case, 

 however, no pains should be spared to exterminate the insect, and this, 

 by hard pruning and thorough spraying, can be accomplished. It is 

 far more economical to exterminate the insect, if possible, than to be 

 compelled to spray for it every year or two. 



BACTERIAL AND FUNGOUS DISEASES. 



Pear blight. — This terrible disease has been ver}" destructive in the 

 past three years, from 60 to 80 per cent of the pear trees in the region 

 having been practically destroj^ed. Quince trees, too, have suffered 

 severel}^ but apple trees have scarcely been affected. In view of the 

 highly destructive character of this disease, the future of pear culture 

 in the Northwest is very uncertain. 



Apple scab. — Of the lands here called the inland uplands, the greater 

 portion is treeless prairie. To the northward and eastward, however, 

 the prairies merge into the forest-clad foothills of mountain ranges, 

 where the rainfall is somewhat greater. In these forested regions, 

 especially in northern Idaho, the apple scab has been more or less 

 prevalent for several years past, the amount of the damage varying 

 in different seasons. On the adjoining prairie regions the disease 

 seems to be spreading slowly, but until now not 2 per cent of the 

 apples have been affected. Outside of the forest belt, at least, the 

 present experience would indicate that the disease is not apt to becomo 

 an important factor. 



