57 



Another insect similar to the one just considered, but with scale of 

 lighter appearance and of rounder form, is also damaging to the trees. 

 This insect seldom attacks either the leaves or the tender wood, but 

 confines itself mainly to the bark of the wood, from one to four years 

 old. They are easily and effectively removed by washing the trunks 

 with wood ashes and water in the proportion of one quart of ashes to 

 three gallons of water. If found generally on the tree in positions not 

 easily reached by the hand, syringe as before with " white lye" lye 

 prepared by boiling wood ashes. 



A most formidable enemy to both these insects named, has ap- 

 peared within the last two years in the grove of the writer. It is a 

 lady bug with a single red spot on each wing case. In both the pupa 

 and perfect state it is ever busy devouring these insects. Of'course 

 they are allowed full freedom of the grove, and are increasing very 

 rapidly. 



Another enemy, noticed for the first time and during the present 

 year in the grove of the writer, of the long scale insect, has ap- 

 peared in the form of a small hang or basket worm " named by Mr. Pack- 

 ard, (as the writer has been informed through the entomological depart- 

 ment of the Agricultural Department,) Platoecitus Gloverii," but later 

 named Psyche Confederata. The female remains in her case and devours 

 the insects enclosed under her web. The male is a small dark colored 

 moth. These insects are not a very formidable enemy to the scale, as 

 the female confines herself closely in her operations under her web. 

 But some small trees have been entirely rid of insects by their help. 

 But if " these insects," as the entomologist of the Agricultural Depart- 

 ment writes, " in their habits resemble the basket or drop worm of the 

 North," they might prove an enemy to the orange tree as well as to 

 the scale insect, and if so should not be encouraged. 



Another insect resembling, when young, fine corn meal dusted over 

 the tree, but when the case, in which the insects are enclosed, is full 

 grown, it resembles the small barnacles clinging to the wharf built in 

 saltwater. AVhen these cases are turned -over and examined with a 

 glass, they disclose under each a multitude of small insects resembling- 

 lice. They do not exhaust trees so rapidly as the scale insect, but 

 their presence is damaging. The leaves of the trees infested, after 



