142 STATE POJMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Life History — The insects spend the winter under the scales 

 in a dormant state. Early in the spring they give birth to 

 minute living young, which run over the host plant and w^hen a 

 suitable place is found insert their sucking tubes. A scale 

 begins to form at once over them which is completed in about a 

 month, when young are produced. There are at least four gen- 

 erations. The males are minute and winged. 



REMEDIES. 



Natural — Scales are preyed upon by small ichneumon flies, 

 mites and birds. The scales often have small round holes in 

 them where parasites have emerged. 



Precautionary — Carefully inspect nursery stock before setting 

 and destroy all bark lice. Recjuire a guarantee of all nursery 

 stock from outside the State. Pass laws to enforce the use of 

 insecticides by shiftless orchardists. 



Aggressive — If scales are already in the orchard, and it is the 

 San Jose scale spray thoroughly when the leaves are ofT, early 

 in the winter and again just before the leaves start, with whale 

 oil soap. Solution two pounds to one gallon of water. If 

 Oystcr-shcll Bark-louse or other one brood species perhaps the 

 best time to spray is in the spring when the lice are young. If 

 the leaves are on, a weaker solution than that mentioned must be 

 used. 



For Mealy bugs in greenhouses a free use of the hose and 

 water is said to be efBcient. 



For house plants, an extract of Pyrethrum, four parts of alco- 

 hol to one of the commercial powder, applied in a fine spray 

 with an atomizer has proved efficient. 



THE SAN JOSE SCALE IN MAINE. 



So far as we know the scale has not been found in Maine. 

 We have made no search for it and do not know as anybody has. 

 As nursery stock from other states is sold in Maine it is sure to 

 be introduced. The question that interests us most is whether it 

 will multiply in our climate. Experience alone can determine 

 this. It has been found in Massachusetts. We have had no 

 experience with it, but it is generally regarded as a warm climate 

 insect. To learn the opinion of those who have experience 



