84 ORANGE CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 



has obtained a foothold in an orchard, no time should be lost in 

 destroying it thoroughly and effectively, for it spreads with won- 

 derful rapidity. No half-way measures will do; heroic and 

 untiring energy must be used to destroy it and prevent its 

 spreading over your own and adjacent orchards. It is generally 

 believed that this dreaded scourge was introduced into this 

 country on trees imported from Australia. The dorthena or 

 white scale, a formidable enemy to the orange tree, is somewhat 

 prevalent at present. This, also, was undoubtedly imported 

 from Australia. The remedies suggested in this chapter for the 

 red scale are also applicable to the white scale. That this is 

 true of the red scale, the fact that it was unknown here before 

 we imported trees from that country, may be adduced as 

 evidence. 



It appears already to have made considerable progress in our 

 country. A year or two ago it was known only in two or three 

 orchards in one locality, but it is now found in several places miles 

 apart. Colonies and neighborhoods cannot be too cautious in 

 using every possible means to prevent its introduction. 



I do not consider its presence fatal to the business ; it does 

 not kill the trees, so far as I know, but it is an expensive and 

 damaging evil that must be eradicated from our country. 



I may here remark that it is said by those who have been 

 dealing in Mediterranean oranges, the red scale was on the fruit 

 in the New York markets more than thirty years ago ; that 

 recently the fruit has been so thickly covered with this parasite 

 as seriously to interfere with its sale. 



The following is from a letter to the New York Sun: 



BURLING SLIP, NEW YORK, March 29, 1879. 



"To the Editor of the Sun SIR: My attention has recently 

 been called to an article published in the Journal of Commerce 

 of the 1 8th instant, on the subject of parasites on Mediterranean 

 fruits lemons and oranges. The inference to be drawn from 

 the article is, that the origin or appearance of the parasite on 

 Mediterranean fruit is of recent date. This, however, is not 

 the fact. 



"The existence of this dreaded pest was known to fruit-dealers 



