52 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA : 



are very thick on branches of the tree attacked, and even 

 when the tree is either dead or dying the scale seem to 

 retain their vitality; and it is only when the mature 

 insects die, and the swarms of young scale take their 

 places, that the tree which they have destroyed is 

 abandoned to the wood-cutter. 



Prevention and Remedies. 



When planting wattles for commercial purposes, the 

 young plants, on attaining a height of, say, five feet, 

 should be well watched, and the vicinity of the plantation 

 carefully examined for traces of this insect ; and all old 

 wattles, if in any way attacked, should be grubbed out 

 and burned, in order to prevent a very probable contagion 

 to the young and newly planted trees. 



In the event of the insects having already commenced 

 operations, spray at short intervals with kerosene 

 emulsion, which material, if used in the spring, will 

 kill off the young fry usually with the one spraying. 



In selecting a site for a wattle plantation, avoid land 

 which is at all liable to any stagnant moisture, a gravelly 

 soil and sub-soil being the best ; as, when the young 

 plants once receive a check in their growth, they are all 

 the more liable to insect attacks of all kinds. 



Arrange for the planting to be in lands, leaving 

 sufficient space for a horse sprayer to work comfortably 

 between the rows, as the u fire blight" can also be 

 dealt with by adopting the above plan. 



Insect enemies of the wattle are both numerous and 

 formidable, and it will well repay for the trouble and 

 expense incurred to keep a careful watching during the 

 early sapling growth. 



Mr. C. French, Junr., my assistant, states that the 

 Dark Purple Wattle Scale has also been found on orange 

 trees, also on various species of Acacia, especially on 

 A. bailey ana. It is subject to the attacks of small 

 parasitic Hymenoptera^ which seem to keep it in check 

 near Melbourne. 



