31 



thoroughly condensed. I think we should be very cautious in recommend- 

 ing anything until we have had experience with it. It is very true that 

 Mr. Ongerth's wash has shown good effect, at first, in some instances, and 

 has been recommended conscientiously and honestly; but in the course of 

 time I have heard, and I have seen in many instances, that it had a very 

 bad effect when used by those very parties who originally recommended 

 it, and I should be very loth to recommend it. I say that in the interests 

 of the fruit growers; but I consider it my duty to direct their attention to 

 the matter. I hope, in the course of time, that you will be justified in 

 recommending it. Many of these washes may, with a certain strength, be 

 beneficial, while, if used stronger, would be injurious, and that may be the 

 case with this wash. 



Mr. Lubin: I have here a statement from this high authority in Ger- 

 many, that it is impossible to eradicate these insects that may be picked 

 up here and there. I read the exact words. This was in the Royal Agri- 

 cultural School at Berlin, Professor Dr. Whittmarck, who occupies the Chair 

 of Practical Botany of the above institution, and Systematic Botany of the 

 University of Berlin, also Secretary-General of the Horticultural Society of 

 Prussia. "Have there been any practical advances made in entomology with 

 the result of averting the disastrous tendencies of insects? Answer — No; that 

 is to say, no absolute remedy has been brought forth to the present day that will 

 exterminate all or every kind of insects. We have arrested the danger of the 

 phylloxera and Colorado beetle by the severest measures; we have also got 

 within recent times police regulations, and our attention is now directed to 

 destroying the ivoolly aphis. Question — Are your police regulations well car- 

 ried out? Answer — Yes, sir; they are carried out very well. The professor 

 gave me to understand that in case any phylloxera or other dangerous insect 

 appeared in any place, the remedy would be applied at once, and in case of 

 the phylloxera, the vines woidd be uprooted and the ground saturated with 

 petroleum, and in addition to that the hair fibers were all burned and the 

 ground saturated with petroleum. Drastic measures were resorted to, and 

 in no case was the eradication of dangerous insects left to the inclination 

 or ability or knowledge of the owner or renter, but the government officials 

 and police would promptly take possession of the affected ground and cure 

 by annihilation that which could not be remedied otherwise, and in this 

 manner they have thus far been able to keep the dreaded phylloxera, the 

 Colorado beetle, and other dangerous insects at bay." 



Mr. Butler: Although the German government, according to the infor- 

 mation given by the gentleman, adopts these radical measures to prevent 

 the extension of the insect pests, as they can do it under that monarchial 

 form of government, it seems to me it would be impossible to carry out such 

 measures in California. If such is the case, all we can do is to adopt 

 remedies that we consider best. It seems to me that so far as the remedy 

 for insect pests to be used on deciduous trees, this sulphur, salt, and lime 

 remedy seems to be the most desirable of any; it is very cheap and very 

 effective. So far as the remedy for the fluted scale, the rosin remedy spoken 

 of seems to be the most effective, and as good results have come from its 

 application in Los Angeles, it would seem to be the one that should be 

 brought into general use. There have been many remedies brought before 

 the people, and if these are the best, I think it would be well to take the 

 sense of this convention in their favor, and have them brought into general 

 use. I do not feel discouraged as some of the gentlemen. I think the sen- 

 timents expressed by the gentleman to my left, that seemed to be so radical, 

 were most excellent in the introduction of this discussion, as it has brought 

 out expressions we could not otherwise have obtained; but we should not 



