3D INSECTS NOXIOUS TO AGKICULTUKE. 



p. 351) : viz., the transportation or acclimatization of parasites 

 on scale-insects. Doubtless the thing could be done, as experi- 

 ments in America have shown. But there are plenty of parasitic 

 insects in New Zealand already, and, although they seem to have 

 hitherto confined their work to the native and mostly to the in- 

 noxious Coccids, they may at any time begin to attack the others, 

 and it is only a question of time when they will act usefully as 

 efficient checks (see Chap. IV.). 



There is one Coccid of which it must be said that, whilst 

 kerosene mixtures will undoubtedly destroy it, by far the best 

 remedy of all is to destroy and burn at once the infested trees. 

 Icerya purchasi is so voracious and universal a feeder, so repul- 

 sive in its aspect, and so destructive in its effects that the most 

 drastic remedy is the best. Any one, therefore, having a tree, 

 especially an ornamental or a fruit tree, attacked by Icerya 

 purchasi, is strongly recommended to make no delay, but to cut 

 down and burn every stick of the tree as soon as possible. 



It was observed at the beginning of this chapter that some 

 people hold the opinion that the damage done by scale-insects is 

 not of importance. The foregoing remarks upon remedies are 

 not directed to those who hold this view, which is contradicted 

 by the experience not only of other countries but of New Zealand 

 itself. 



Authorities referred to in this Chapter. 



U.S. Department of Agriculture 



Reports by Professor Eiley, Professor Comstock, Mr. Hubbard, Mr. L. O. 



Howard. 

 N.Z. Parliamentary Papers, 1885 



Report of the Select Joint Committee of both Houses on the Codlin-moth,. 



and " various blights to which fruits are subject." 

 Personal experiment by the author and friends. 

 Replies of farmers, gardeners, and tree-growers to inquiries, official or private. 



