Scale 



( 314 ) 



Scelochilus 



Other Species : 



anchusa^folia, My., pros- grandiflora(nowLeschen- 



trate lierb or sub-shr., aultia linarioides). 



bl. microcarpa, Jy., per. herb, 



attenuata, 1J' to 2', Je., bl. (xyit. Goodenia, 



shr. or sub-shr., bl. tevigata). 



cuneiformis, sum., herb, pilosa, 1' to 3', My., per. 



hi. herb or sub-shr., bl. 



platyphylla, 2', My., wh. 



SCALE. 



The Scale insects (Coccidas), belonging to the 

 Homoptera, are among the most harmful of 

 insects. Some of the many species are familiar 

 to all gardeners. There are two notable exceptions 

 to the possession of injurious qualities, namely 

 the Cochineal Insect (Coccus Cacti) and the 

 La; Insect (Tachardia lacca), both of which are of 

 economic value. An idea of the size and import- 

 ance of the Scales among insect pests will be 

 gained from the following list of some of the 

 principal species. 



Aspidiotus brittam'cus. Ischnaspis filiforrnis. 



Hollies. Palms. 



- Camellise (Camellia Lecanium Coryli. Cur- 

 Scale) . Camellias. rauts. 



Nerii (Oleander Scale). Hesperidum. Oranges. 

 Oleanders. Persicse (Peach Scale). 



Palmarum. Palms aud Peaches. 

 Cycads. Rosas. Eoses. 



perniciosus (San Jose Mytilaspis Pomorum 

 Scale). Fruit trees. (Mussel Scale). Apples. 



Chiouaspis Euonymi. Orthezia insignis. Omni- 

 Euonymuses. vorous. 



Diaspis ostreseformis Pulvinaria Ribesise (Cot- 

 Oyster Shell Bark tony Cushion Scale). 

 Louse"). Fruit trees. Currants. 



Diaspis Rosas. Roses. Vitis (Cushion Scale of 



the Vine). Vines. 



The female Scales are much bigger than the 

 male, and they are directly injurious to the tree 

 i hey infest, sucking out the vital juices ; the males 

 are not. At first possessing power of movement, 

 the females soon lose this. The eggs are sheltered 

 by the familiar horn-like scale, some species 

 having a further protection of a white coating of 

 felted threads for their eggs. In a few species'the 

 females are viviparous. 



Details of the habits and appearance of the 

 principal of these pests are given under their 

 several headings, together with remedies. {See 

 also INSECTICIDES.) 



SCALLION. 



This term is applied to Allium ascalonicum 

 majus, and occasionally to young Onions with 

 thick necks. Usually, however, it means Onion 

 bulbs that have been planted in early spring to 

 make growth, but are not allowed to seed. As 

 soon as they are about 1' high they are pulled up 

 and used as required. By this means "young" 

 Onions are obtained some time in advance of those 

 from seed. Scallions may be planted in rows 12" 

 apart and 6" between the plants in the rows. 

 Several " cloves " will usually be formed by each 

 bulb. Scallions are of use for temporary require- 

 ments only. They will not make bulbs, but if left 

 long enough will run to seed. 



SCAPHOSEPALUM. 



A small genus of Orchids (prd. Orchidacece). 

 They were formerly placed with the Masdevallias, 

 like which they may be treated. 



Scamnwny (Convoli-iilng Scammonia'). 



Principal Species : 



auchoriferum, 3" to 0", sum., grh., creamy wh.. 



sum., grh., greenish grii., dotted pur. 



yel., crim. maroon, with pulvinare, 9", win., grh., 



greenish yel., crim. greenish pur., br. (xyn. 



spotted tails (syn. Mas- Masde vallia pulvinaris). 



devallia anchorifera). punctatum, 3" to 5", aut., 



breve, like anchoriferum, grh., gm., spotted pur. 



sum., grh., br., yel., swertisefolium, 3" to 6", 



and pur. (si/n. Masde- aut., grh., yel., spotted 



vallia brevis). br., pur. (,'/. Masde- 



gibberosum, 6" to 9", vallia swertiaefolia). 



Other Species : 



antenniferum, greenish ochthodes, yel., grn., 

 yel., br., close to pul- small, a nearly per- 



vinare. petual flowerer. 



microdactylum, greenish 

 yel. , br. , small. 



SCAPHYGLOTTIS. 



Stove epiphytal Orchids (ord. Orchidacens) of 

 branching habit. Similar treatment to that given 

 to Cattleyas will suit. Few of the species are in 

 cultivation. 



Principal Species : 

 stellata, larger flowers violacea, vio., lip wh. 



than violacea. 



SCARES. 



Man}' devices for scaring birds from Corn, ripe 

 fruit, and seed beds generally are in existence, but 

 few are of much use. The usual rather hideous 

 scarecrow with its heterogeneous wardrobe is not 

 now so frequently seen. The wooden clappers 

 which are set in motion by the wind are not of 

 much service, as the birds soon get used to the 

 noise. In rural districts the favourite method of 

 bird-scaring is to set a boy to fire off a few 

 half-charges of powder at intervals, but even then 

 the birds soon find out that the noise does not 

 hurt them and resettle to their work of depredation. 

 Fastening pieces of gaudily coloured paper and 

 rag to fruit trees is certainly not more effective 

 than any of the foregoing methods. The only plan 

 that can be at all depended upon, unless the seed 

 beds or trees are netted completely over, is to 

 twist over and round them, to the branches of the 

 fruit trees or to stakes pushed into the seed beds, 

 a number of strands of black thread or cotton. 

 This the birds cannot easily see, and they get their 

 wings entangled without being able to discern 

 what is responsible for it. The result usually is 

 that they shun the place. White cotton or thread 

 is often used. Brick traps are occasionally em- 

 ployed to catch stragglers, but they do very little 

 towards lessening the numbers of the marauders. 



SCARLET RUNNERS (see BEANS). 



SCARLET TIGER MOTH. 



Like the larvas of all the Tiger moths, those of 

 the Scarlet Tiger (Callimorpha Dorainula) are very 

 thick bodied and hairy. The moths are about 2J" 

 across the forewings, which are dark olive brown 

 in colour, with a number of yellow and cream spots. 

 The hind wings are crimson, with black spots along 

 the edges. The larvse feed upon the Hound's 

 Tongue (Cynoglossum) chiefly, and are only to be 

 found, as a rule, where it grows. Tbey are not 

 harmful to garden plants. 



SCELOCHILUS. 



A small and obscure genus (prd . Orchidaceas) of 

 stove epiphytal Orchids, rarely cultivated, but 

 needing the same attentions as the Rodriguezias. 



