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Pomona College Journal of Economic Botany 



Jumelle (Les Cultures Coloniales, p. 176) remarks: "It is well to replace 

 the trees when they commence to get old, as they are subject to the attacks of 

 a blight." 



In a paper read before the Cuban National Horticultural Society, and pub- 

 lished in the Society's report for IQIO, H. A. Van Hermann says: "The cultiva- 

 tion of Anonas for commercial purposes will need some careful attention. The 

 fruit when young is affected by both fungi and insects, which disfigure it. Spray- 

 ing may be necessary to grow perfect fruits in some localities." 



Mr. R. H. Johnston of the hacienda "La Queseria" in the state of Jalisco, 

 Mexico, reports that many of the trees, which are given practically no cultivation 

 in that vicinity, are subject to a serious disease somewhat similar to the pear 

 canker. 



Figure 130. The Mammillaris Cherimoya as grown at Altadena, California. 



Insect Pests 



Even though in close proximity to infested citrus and other trees, none of 

 the local Cherimoyas appear to be bothered by any insect pests. But it is evident 

 that the species is not immune from the attacks of pernicious insects. The Bulle- 

 tin Agricole de I'Algerie et de la Tunisie for March 15, 1908, contains an account 

 of the Cherimoya in Algeria by Dr. L. Trabut, in which he states that old trees 

 are nearly always infested with the "Cochenille blanche" (Mealy Bug) requiring 

 stringent combative measures. Fumigation is advised, the work to be done 

 during the winter months. In Southern California, the work of Essig and others 

 has shown that the Mealy Bug can be most effectively handled by the use of car- 

 bolic emulsion. 



Throughout the warmer parts of America there are small chalcid flies related 

 to the wheat joint-worm and the grape-seed chalcid which infest the seeds of 

 anonaceous fruits particularly those of Anona squamosa. These are so widely 

 distributed that they will be practically certain to appear eventually in Southern 



