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Sax Jose Scale. 



Another and even more destructive enemy of the fruit 

 grower is the San Jose scale (Aspidiotus perniciosus Comst.)- 

 Its extremely small size, its marvelously rapid increase in 

 numbers, its covering of armor which makes destruction so 

 difficult, and its variety of food plants, combine to render this 

 a most dangerous foe. It lives not only on the bark, which it 

 finally covers completely, but it spreads to the fruit, where it 

 produces unsightly red spots, so injuring its appearance as to 

 greatly reduce its value for sale. 



This scale is now generally present in Massachusetts, and 

 is rapidly becoming more abundant. 



It is one of the most prolific insects known, the descendants 

 of a single individual under favorable conditions having been 

 calculated as numbering more than three billions in a single 

 season ; and as all of these obtain their food from the sap of 

 the tree, it is not uncommon to see good-sized trees completely 

 dried up as the result of their presence. They can be de- 

 stroyed only by sprays which come in actual contact with 

 their bodies, and strong enough to penetrate the armor which 

 covers them ; and sprays which can do this are not safe to 

 use on the trees except during the winter months, while the 

 trees are not growing. Yet a fruit raiser who understands 

 the proper method of treatment has no fear of this pest; 

 and to him, as Mr. J. H. Hale says, it is on the whole a 

 blessing in disguise, for it means that this pest will destroy 

 so many of the fruit trees which are not given proper care as 

 to greatly increase his markets and improve his prices. 



Oyster Shell and Scurfy Scales. 

 Two other scales are also frequently present in the orchard, 

 and at times may cause trouble. The oyster-shell scale 

 (Lepidosaphes ulmi L.), being larger than the San Jose 

 scale, is more frequently noticed and feared by those not 

 familiar with the subject. But this fear is unnecessary, for 

 the oyster-shell increases slowly in numbers as compared with 

 the other, and mild soap washes applied in June are sufficient 



