REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I909 9I 



this scale insect in recent years. These injuries or losses have 

 almost invariably followed neglect, intentional or otherwise. The 

 experience of another season has but served to confirm the findings 

 of earlier years and emphasize the importance of a lime-sulfur 

 wash in checking this pest. Some practical fruit growers have been 

 able to obtain such excellent results that their neighbors have raised 

 the question as to whether the pest was really present. Such grati- 

 fying results have not only been obtained with the ordinary home- 

 made lime-sulfur wash, but also with some of the commercial prep- 

 arations for sale in this State. The latter appeal very strongly to 

 some fruit growers, since they only require dilution prior to appli- 

 cation. The Coirdley lime-sulfur wash, a formula which calls for 

 approximately twice as much sulfur as lime, has been used in sev- 

 eral places with great satisfaction, particularly as it can be made up 

 in large cjuantities and held indefinitely without danger of the sidfides 

 crystalizing. A dilution of the commercial lime-sulfur wash is also 

 being used as a summer spray with excellent results though w^e 

 would remind growers that sufficient time has not elapsed, since 

 this method of application has been used, to permit of exhaustive 

 tests. 



An investigation of the orchard belonging to Mr W. H. Hart at 

 Poughkeepsie, N. Y. shows that he had been able to control the 

 San Jose scale in a most gratifying manner. Trees which five or 

 six years ago were so seriously affected that perhaps a quarter of 

 the tops had died and the indications were that the trees might be 

 killed within a few years, are now in a most vigorous condition and 

 well laden with fruit. This has been brought about largely by 

 spraying with a lime-sulfur wash, the application being made en- 

 tirely from the ground, since the uneven surface precludes the suc- 

 cessful employment of towers. The badly affected trees noted 

 above had the tops cut out some three or four years ago-, in some 

 instances limbs 3 inches in diameter being removed [pi. 20, 21]. 

 There was some suckering following this operation, yet there has 

 been a vigorous growth and a bounteous production of fruit. Care- 

 ful observation is necessary to recognize the trees which have been 

 treated in this way. Mr Hart experiences no difficulty in controlling 

 the San Jose scale with a lime-sulfur wash, provided conditions 

 allow two applications each spring with the wind in opposite direc- 

 tions. He finds a stiff breeze necessary to carry the spray through- 

 out the entire tree. Much of the fruit in Mr Hart's orchard is 

 practically free from San Jose scale, aside from occasional branches 



