ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 17 



running. The Scale was here at ltast six years before we really found it out. That 

 shows you how easily it can avoid the observation of the fruit-grower. If it can so 

 readily avoid observation you can see at once that it presents a very serious problem. 

 You have been told of only one of many things we have done. Let me add another fact. 

 We went to the nurserymen who had unintentionally introduced infested American 

 stock, we obtained lists of the men to whom the stock had been sold, and then we 

 endeavored to trace every one of these sales. In some cases the stock had gone through 

 the hands of two or three persons. AH these trees were gradually traced and examined 

 at their final location in the orchard. Take the case at Belleville. The stock had been 

 auctioned off on the market-square and nobody knew where it had gone. That stock had 

 to be found and most of it has been examined, 



If you have any suggestions as to how this work is to be carried out, we would like 

 to get them. Our interests and the fruit-growers' interests are the same. Some people 

 thought we were moving too cautiously and considering personal prejudices too much ; 

 others said we were pushing on too vigorously and are asking us not to move so rapidly, 

 to take out only those trees that are badly infested and to allow them to treat the rest. 

 Professor Webster says that if we allow the owners to treat, nothing much will result, 

 and that the Government must come in and do the treating if it is to be done thoroughly. 

 What is your opinion as to what should be done ? Any suggestions that will help us will 

 be exceedingly acceptable. 



Doctor Fletcher : We have had this afternoon a discnssion on one of the most diffi- 

 cult and important subjects which entomologists and fruit-growers have ever had to deal 

 with. It is wise, I think, that we should look at the matter squarely and find exactly 

 where we are. We have had our society here for a great many years under the patronage 

 of the Ontario Government, striving hard and doing good work for the country. We 

 have done much excellent work this afternoon in this discussion. The Government has 

 shown a manifest desire to get at the real facts with regard to the San Jose Scale, so 

 that the wisest legislation may be enacted. To-day we have here the Minister represented 

 and the Provincial entomologist and the Provincial Inspector of San Jose Scale, 

 and we as a Society should recognize this compliment. These men have come 

 here to assist in the discussion and give us the benefit of their experience in working 

 out this problem that we have still to solve. I suppose like every other man 

 I change my views very often. I hope so, when new evidence warrants it ; but with 

 regard to the treatment of the San Jose Scale, I have not changed much yet. If I 

 am asked what my views are I can only refer you back to my annual reports for the last 

 three years ; every year the same thing. There is no doubt in my mind, or in the mind 

 of any one else that understands these insects, that this scale is to-day, what Prof. Corn- 

 stock said many years ago, the most pernicious insect we have ever had to deal with. 

 As to how long the insect has been in Canada, notwithstanding all that has been said, 

 we all know well that it was only discovered in Ontario in Mr. Vanhorne's orchard in the 

 spring of 1897, (See Cent. Exper. Farm Rep. 1897, p. 213) and we also all know how 

 quickly it has spread. 



Now can it be treated 1 I acknowledge that it can be treated if — and there comes the 

 rub — if y ou can get specialists to undertake the work and if you can teach the whole of 

 the fruit-growers in this country that they are concerned, that the whole welfare of the 

 country is concerned and that it is their duty to do what will give them some little trouble 

 and expense, but will save the whole province from an enormous loss, I say you cannot 

 do it and you will not do it yet, and I main tarn that the time has not yet come when the 

 prosperity of the whole Province should be put at the mercy of men that we know before- 

 hand are not going to do their duty because they hive not yet learned that it is necessary. 

 This is not a time for dilly-dallying, and it would appear as if there is little choice for the 

 Government as to their future actions. However, I consider the matter is such an import- 

 ant one that I shall do my utmost to show the danger which I believe exists. Is Ontario 

 going to act in haste and allow a thing to be done that everybody should know is very 



2 EN. 



