1 897-] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 57 



DEPARTMENT OF EGONOMIG ENTOMOLOGY. 



Edited by Prof. JOHN B. SMITH, ScD., New Brunswick, N. J. 



Papers for this department are solicited. They should be sent to the editor. Prof. John 

 B. Smith, Sc.D., New Brunswick, N.J. 



(Continued from page 38, vol. viii.) 



Following this Mr. Johnson reviewed the present distribution of the 

 San Jos6 scale in Maryland, stating that tiie pest had been definitely lo- 

 cated in twelve counties, including three nurseries. It was introduced on 

 nursery stock from New Jersey, Georgia, Missouri, and possibly Penn- 

 sylvania; the stock in the latter case having been received from a Phila- 

 delphia seedman. The speaker was of the opinion that the pest could 

 never be exterminated in Maryland on account of its firm foot-hold in 

 some large orchards, but that he believed it could be kept in check by 

 persistent and energetic fighting on the part of a thorough and harmonious 

 State organization of nurserymen and fruit-growers. In speaking of the 

 potash lye, whale oil soap, he said he was just in the midst of an exten- 

 sive series of experiments with this material on the scale in the large 

 orchards of R. S. Emery, of Chestertown, Md., and that over 2500 pounds 

 had already been used on the infested trees at the rate of 2)4 to 23,4 pounds 

 to a gallon of water. He was of the opinion that the scale could not be 

 exterminated in bearing orchards with the soap washes. He said pear 

 trees treated last year with the soda whale oil soap at the rate of 2, 2}4 

 and 3 pounds to a gallon of water, were this Fall literally covered with 

 the insect. Of the two he said the lye was very much better than the 

 soda soap. Its action on the scale is quicker and its application is not so 

 troublesome from the fact that it does not thicken when cool. He said 

 that Mr. Emery, who was the first to use this soap against the San Jos6 

 scale, was of the opinion that some entomologists placed too much con- 

 fidence in these washes for the destruction and extermination of the pest. 

 The author said he had under way a lot of experiments with various 

 combinations of kerosene emulsion and whale oil soap, the cost of the 

 washes ranging from four to nine cents per gallon. Referring to the 

 Maryland "Trees and Nursery Stock" law he said it had been a great 

 factor in awakening an interest in this matter among nurserymen and 

 fruit-growers. Although the law is imperfect in some points, it has been 

 carried out with, much satisfaction. The inconsistent points have been 

 passed over, and, widi a few minor changes, the presetit Act will meet 

 the peculiar needs of the State It is intended to have the law modified 

 at the next session of the Legislature, and it is hoped that an Act may be 

 passed that will be perfectly consistent and agreeable to all parties con- 

 cerned. 



Dr. Howard read a paper by Mr. Gerald McCarthy entitled, "Eco- 

 nomic Entomology in North Carolina. " Briefly outlining the entomological 

 work of the season the author said Phorbia brassicce was very destructive 



