SCALE INSECTS OF IMPORTANCE 313 



climatic conditions, and this limits its usefulness seriously. Fungus-in- 

 fested scales were sent to other states, and the disease was at least tem- 

 porarily established in several places. After the fungus has consumed 

 the insect, an orange colored protuberance forms at the base of the 

 scale or breaks through it, but, as this is only from :^ to -^ of an inch in 

 hight, it is not very apparent. 



Necessity and value of certificates of inspection. The pres- 

 ent New York state law compels the inspection of all nursery stock by 

 the commissioner of agriculture or his agents at least once a year prior 

 to September i ; and, if the stock is found to be apparently free from 

 dangerously injurious insects and from contagious diseases, the commis- 

 sioner is required to issue a certificate stating the facts. A nursery found 

 infested must be cleared of the scale before a certificate of freedom from 

 pests can be granted. It is unlawful to ship any nursery stock by public 

 carriers unless each car, box, bale or package be accompanied by such a 

 certificate dated within a year. All transportation companies are now 

 required by law to notify the state commissioner of agriculture whenever 

 any nursery stock is received from any point without the state. This 

 provision was made to aid in preventing the introduction of infested 

 nursery stock from other states. 



The value of a certificate depends much on the manner in which the 

 inspection is conducted. That issued by our state department of agri- 

 culture represents faithful, close work, and it may be accepted as con- 

 clusive evidence that the trees are apparently free from this pest. Occa- 

 sionally a few trees with the scale on them and accompanied by the com- 

 missioner's certificate have been received in other states ; but I am not 

 aware that any proof has ever been advanced to show that the infested 

 trees were actually inspected in New York state, and in one or two 

 instances it does not appear that the nursery stock was even sent from a 

 point in this state. A certificate from a reliable party may be accepted 

 as presumptive evidence of the freedom of the stock from this scale 

 insect. It should not, however, prevent the buyer from scrutinizing the 

 trees most closely and fumigating them, if they have not already been so 

 treated. 



Means of dispersal. These are limited, as pointed out in the gen- 

 eral introduction, very largely to conveyance by other animals or by the 

 elements. The young may crawl from tree to tree where branches inter- 

 lock, they are blown some distance by prevailing winds, and the insect 

 is also carried on young trees. Prof. Webster, in Ohio agricultural 



