11 



this unfavourable weather, and doubtless induced and fostered by it, a species of minute 

 fundus attacked the leaves of the apple, extending over a large portion of their surface, 

 and often down the leaf-stalk to their base, causing a dark brown discoloration. The 

 same fungus attacked the young fruit also, deforming a considerable proportion of the few 

 specimens which were to be found, and these attacks resulted in a withering and curling 

 of the leaves; the young fruit became stunted and deformed, and in many instances 

 much of the foliage dropped to the ground. The effect of this injury, even at this advan- 

 ced period in the season, is still to be seen in the sparseness of the foliage on miny of 

 the trees, in the discoloration of the leaves and the stunted growth of the branches. 



It is difficult to anticipate with any certainty the effect of this disease on the fruit 

 crop of next year, but since as a rule any interruption to the healthy growth of a tree 

 leads to the more abundant production of fruit buds, it is probable that with a favourable 

 season, we may have a very abundant yield in 1883. 



California has for some years past been shipping fruits from her abundant surplus 

 to all parts of the continent, and her favoured climate furnished conditions under which 

 pears, apples, plums and grapes prospered to an extent unknown elsewhere, and for 

 many years almost free from the insect pests which in other fruit-growing regions levy 

 so heavy a tax on the growers. But this exemption could not be expected to be perman- 

 ent. The Codlin Moth made its appearance there in 1874, and ever since then has been 

 increasing to an alarming extent, the climate favouring its propagation with a rapidity 

 unknown in less favoured districts, so that there are three, and in some instances four 

 broods in a season. They attack the pears and quinces, as well as the apples, and de- 

 stroy and disfigure a large quantity of fruit. California fruit growers are also suffering 

 from the Phylloxera, Pear-tree Slug, Red Spider, Tussock Moth Caterpiller, the Currant 

 Borer, a native Tent Caterpiller, Clisiocampa constricta, and a number of species of bark 

 lice or scale insects, which attack apple, pear, peach, plum, orange, lemon, fig and olive 

 trees, being found alike on the bark, foliage and fruit, and which multiply with amazing 

 rapidity. Recognizing the vast importance of the fruit crop to the State, the most 

 stringent measures are being enacted for the purpose of subduing these pests. An Act 

 was passed by the State Legislature in March, 1881, in the interests of Horticulture and 

 Viticulture, providing for the appointment of a State Board of Commissioners, one from 

 each of the large fruit-growing districts, with almost unlimited powers to restrain, seize, 

 or prohibit the importation of anything and everything likely to aid in distributing these 

 insect pests — any suspected vines, vine cuttings, empty fruit boxes or other material 

 likely to spread insects or contagion, and any willful violation of the quarantine regu- 

 lations of this Board is considered a misdemeanor and punishable with a fine of from 

 $25 to 8100. These Commissioners are also charged with the duty of preparing rules 

 to be observed by fruit growers for the extermination of insects, and suitable powers are 

 given them to enforce the carrying out of these rules. In reference to the Codlin Moth, 

 every apple grower is compelled to scrape the rough bark off his apple trees every spring, 

 to collect and burn the scrapings, and apply, after scraping, an alkaline wash — the 

 constituent parts of which are specified — to the tree. All boxes in which apples, pears 

 or quinces have been stored or shipped are required to be dipped in boiling water con- 

 taining a pound of commercial potash to each 25 gallons, for at least two minutes. 

 These measures look to the destruction of the pupa. But, further, bands of cloth or 

 paper of a specified width must be fastened around each apple, pear and quince tree, be- 

 fore the fifteenth day of May in each year, and examined every seventh day afterwards 

 throughout the season, and all larvae or pupae destroyed. Precautionary and remedial 

 measures are being enforced in reference to many other destructive insects, and any lax- 

 ity or omission on the part of fruit growers in carrying out the instructions of the 

 Commissioners is punishable by fine. The chief officer of the Commission is required 

 to visit, examine and report upon the fruit growing interests in the various sections of 

 the State, appoint resident inspectors for each county to enforce the regulations adopted 

 by the Comcnisson, and to experiment on the best methods of subduing insects and dis- 

 eases destructive to fruits, and disseminate the information so obtained. For the carry- 

 ing out of these objects an appropriation is made by the State of ten thousand dollars a 

 year. 



