SAN JOSA SCALE 



99 



tory results from two seasons of work with this remedy : 

 satisfactory both from the destruction of the scale and the 

 lack of harm to the plants. When the work was done 

 under his personal supervision and under proper weather 

 conditions no harm resulted ; when done in unfavorable 

 weather for the purpose of experiment, plants have been 

 more or less injured. Mr. Alwood is apparently very much 

 in favor of spraying. Professor Smith, of New Jersey, also 

 reports generally favorable results with kerosene. 



Dr. Howard and Mr. Marlatt, of Washington, D. C, and 

 Mr. Johnson, of Maryland, either do not recommend kero- 

 sene spraying or do so with reservation. They believe that 

 the chances are so great that every farmer or nurseryman 

 ought to be warned of the danger he runs; then, if he 

 chooses to take the chances, the responsibility is his. 



To Summarize. — Kerosene spraying has given, in different 

 localities, varying results, under apparently the same condi- 

 tions. The killing effects are quite uniform as regards the 

 scale, but the variation is in the effect on the plants sprayed. 

 Bright, sunshiny days, with plenty of air stirring, seem to 

 afford about the best weather conditions ; very late fall and 

 early winter is the best season, and a fine spray the best 

 method of application. But even under these most favor- 

 able conditions, and when the work has been done by an 

 expert, serious injury, and in some cases death, has resulted 

 to the trees. 



The Demming Company, of Salem, Ohio, manufactures 

 spraying apparatus for this work, in the bucket outfit, the 

 knapsack and the barrel sprayers. The principle involved 

 is the mixing of kerosene in the pump. The pump is con- 

 nected with both water and oil, and by regulating the flow 

 of oil the per cent of the mixture can be controlled. At 

 present it seems to me that the only recommendation that 

 we are justified in making to our neighbors regarding kero- 

 sene spraying is this : Go slowly. Kerosene has a great 

 value in this matter, but everyone must work out his own 

 salvation, because results vary so greatly with climatic con- 

 ditions, locality and the condition of the individual plants. 

 It is certainly worthy of extended trial, — but go slowly. 



