SCALE INSECTS OF IMPORTANCE 305 



depends largely on its inconspicuousness and great prolificacy. So 

 marked are these that several trees may be literally covered with the 

 pest before the owner is aware of its presence, and this in spite of his 

 being on the watch for the enemy. 



Those who unfortunately have the insect on their premises find that it 

 is a difficult pest to combat, and that only the most thorough work will 

 produce the desired results. Carefulness to avoid this scale insect and a 

 strong desire to learn about its appearance and life history, are ordinary 

 precautions every fruit-grower should take, and this spirit should be en- 

 couraged wherever found. Ridiculing such precautions in an attempt 

 to make hght of the danger, and sensational statements regarding the 

 destructiveness of the insect, are both to be deprecated. Neither the 

 nursery nor the horticultural interests of New York state will be ruined 

 by this pest, but those who neglect the proper precautions may suffer 

 considerable loss. The ultimate result will be better care of many 

 orchards and a more just appreciation of the powers for good or evil 

 possessed by insects, 



Destructiveness in New York state. Continuous fighting, even 

 in this latitude, is the price of practical immunity from danger in places 

 where the scale has become established. There are several orchards 

 within 20 miles of Albany where this pest has been for the past eight to 

 10 years. Some trees have been killed outright, others ruined and many 

 seriously dwarfed and stunted. The record would have been worse, had 

 the pest not been fought, and, on the other hand, it might have been 

 much better if recently discovered facts had been accessible earlier. I 

 allude m particular to the value of petroleum, specially of the mechanical 

 emulsion. There are a number of records of this pest doing httle 

 damage in a locality till some eight years after its establishment, and then 

 suddenly with favoring conditions it may become very abundant and 

 injurious. The possible rapidity with which this scale insect may increase 

 in this state is strikingly shown by an apple twig 15 inches long of 1898 

 growth which on receipt at the end of that season was nearly covered with 

 half-grown scales. That is, the pest was able to keep up with the rapidly 

 growing tree, and at the end of the season a large proportion of the new 

 wood was nearly covered with half- grown scale insects. G. G. At wood, 

 now in charge of the inspection work in the state informs me that he has 

 r epeatedly noticed that this pest thrives best on vigorous trees. 



Indications of the presence of the scale. This scale insect is 

 so minute that it has usually escaped the observation of any but specially 

 trained eyes till it had become quite abundant. People are learning what 



