REMEDIES AGAINST SCALE-INSECTS. 87 



Comstock received specimens from Havana, and learned that it was a 

 very common pest in the public gardens of that city. 



In California, owing to the very direct communication with China 

 and Japan, and frequent importations of plants from these countries, 

 many destructive species of Bark-lice have been introduced upon fruit 

 and shade trees. Some of these are the most serious pests of their kind ; 

 many have a wide range of food-plants, including also the Orange, and 

 one at least, the Ked Scale of California, is peculiar to citrus plants. 

 It was introduced into California from Australia. Professor Corn- 

 stock believes this to be the most destructive species known to in- 

 fest citrus plants in this country. Its introduction into Florida, to- 

 gether with others now ravaging the groves of California, is greatly to 

 be feared, and is probably only a question of time, as the interchange 

 of plants between these two States increases annually. 



Not only plants of the citrus family, but many other trees and shrubs, 

 and notably the Olive, may cause the introduction of Scale- insects, 

 some of which have, besides the Orange and its kind, a great variety 

 of food-plants. 



It would be well for the horticultural interests of Florida if some 

 system of inspection of imported fruit-trees could be adopted and vigor- 

 ously enforced by the State. This would, no doubt, be difficult of 

 accomplishment, and, perhaps, impracticable. Individual importers 

 should, however, be made fully aware of the danger which exists of in- 

 troducing other destroyers more serious than those already at hand, 

 and should be on their guard. Living plants received from foreign 

 countries ought to be carefully cleaned upon their arrival, and all in- 

 sects found upon them destroyed. 



It is not easy to estimate the extent of the damage that would be 

 occasioned should any of the Aspidiotus scales now ravaging the groves 

 and orchards of California be permitted to obtain a permanent foothold 

 in Florida. 



PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES. 



Infection from nursery Stock. What has been said as to the danger of 

 introducing exotic Scale-insects by importations from abroad will apply 

 as well to the spreading of domestic species by the exchange and sale of 

 nursery stock. 



It must be acknowledged that many of the leading nurserymen are 

 fully alive to the necessity of establishing and maintaining a reputation 

 for painstaking care, and rarely send out infested plants. Others exer- 

 cise less care and frequently scatter insect pests by means of the befouled 

 plants they distribute. 



Close planting in the nursery is a most frequent cause ot the appear- 

 ance of Scale insects in destructive numbers. Young orange trees are 

 planted a few inches apart in rows, and are often left for years in close 

 ranks, with their branches interlocking, and affording easy passage for 



