53 



sites, but were still yielding them, indicating that there is at least a 

 notable irregularity in the time of emergence, and a possible resting 

 or hibernating period. In the coast districts, as represented by Long 

 Beach, the black scale is not so distinctly single-brooded as it is in the 

 higher regions bordering the mountains, and this was especially nota- 

 ble in the case of the Chilipeppers. It is evident, from what has been 

 said that the danger of the parasites being exterminated during the 

 winter is not very great in southern California. 



The writer also investigated the conditions about Santa Barbara, 

 where there have been some distributions of this parasite, and notably 

 the Gillespie ranch. This ranch is remarkable for the great variety 

 of horticultural and ornamental plant species and varieties represented 

 in it. It is under the charge of Mr. Compton, an experienced horti- 

 culturist and gardener. The writer was assured by Mr. Compton 

 that two years ago the olive and citrus orchards and many of the 

 ornamental trees and shrubs were covered with the sooty fungus from 

 the black scale which thickly infested the premises. About that time 

 he obtained a colony of Scutellista. In April of 1903 this parasite 

 had so multiplied that he was unable to find a scale anj^where that 

 did not contain a larva of the Scutellista. At the time of m} T visit 

 these premises were in splendid condition, perfectly clean, and as 

 fresh looking as could be wished, and this result seemed to have been 

 accomplished in the main by this parasite. So perfect had been the 

 work that a living scale was not to be found anywhere. It must be 

 said, however, that this was an off year for the black scale in this 

 region, and that on other ranches where the Scutellista had not been 

 introduced the black scale was doing less damage than ordinarily. 

 For example, the Crocker- Sperry ranch, which the writer saw some 

 seven or eight years ago blackened with Lecanium olese, was this 

 year comparatively free from serious attack. This ranch, however, 

 had been regularly treated with petroleum washes. 



The method of hibernation, or the winter behavior of this parasite, 

 in view of its extraordinary promise, are matters of particular interest, 

 and the writer, therefore, under date of February 24, 1904, requested 

 Mr. J. W. Jeffrey, the secretary of the board of horticultural com- 

 missioners of Los Angeles Count}^, and Mr. Frederick Maskew, an 

 inspector of the same county, alread} 7 referred to in this report, to 

 send any data which they had obtained bearing on the subject of 

 hibernation, or the exact conditions of going through the winter 

 in orchards, on pepper trees and other plants; and also, in the same 

 connection, any records which they might have showing the time 

 covered by a full generation, or the variation of this period at differ- 

 ent seasons of the year. The information given by Messrs. Jeffrey 

 and Maskew is appended herewith, and should be credited to the horti- 

 cultural commissioners of Los Angeles County, all of the members of 



