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and  its  value  as  fodder  for  cattle  and  as  sand-binding  agent 
observed  about  a year  ago  when  living  at  the  beach  in  the 
Hobron  house.  Its  identity  I could  not  ascertain,  in  fact  it  is 
not  known  to  this  day.  I have  since  found  it  growing  on 
Quarantine  Island  and  doing  valuable  service  there. 
Pineapple  Scale. 
The  first  three  days  of  the  month  I spent  in  Wahiawa  in 
study  and  observation  of  the  insects  affecting  the  pineapple 
plant,  especially  the  scale  bug  ( Diaspis  bromeliae).  I have 
traveled  in  all  directions,  alone  and  in  company,  afoot,  on 
horse  back  or  in  buggy,  and  discussed  the  question  with  many 
growers.  Our  conclusions  are  that  the  scale  bug  is  insignifi- 
cant on  vigorous  plants ; it  is  kept  well  in  check  by  a parasite 
which  is  active  principally  on  the  males  (the  little,  white, 
keeled  bodies,  principally  on  underside  of  leaves)  ; a fungus  was 
also  found  attacking  the  scale  bug;  and  finally  the  scale  bug 
is  most  numerous  where  the  growing  conditions  of  the  plant 
are  unfavorable.  Nevertheless  there  was  consensus  of  opinion 
that  plants  would  be  greatly  benefited  by  being  fumigated 
before  setting  out.  This  practice  I have  been  recommending 
for  some  time  now,  although  no  occasion  for  publishing  the 
advice  has  presented  itself.  The  fact  is  that  although  the 
scale  bug  is  widely  prevalent  in  the  pineapple  fields  at  no  time 
or  place  could  serious  damage  be  attributed  to  it.  There  is  no 
danger  of  the  scale  ever  becoming  a menace  to  the  industry. 
Yet  in  view  of  the  comparative  ease  and  inexpensiveness  of 
treatment  and  the  undoubted  advantage  of  eliminating  a drain 
upon  the  plant’s  vitality,  the  advisability  of  fumigation  of 
plants  is  beyond  question.  The  treatment  would  also  kill  the 
mealy  bugs  which  are  rather  numerous  in  places. 
It  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  relate  that  one  of  the  fresh 
pineapple  shippers  in  Wahiawa  confirmed  our  observation  of 
a little  over  a year  ago-  that  fruit  fumigated  with  a strong  dose 
of  hydrocyanic  acid  gas  before  shipment  stands  a long  journey 
better  than  after  any  other  treatment. 
At  Leilehua  I was  glad  to  find  the  Arizona  dung  fly  parasite 
breeding.  It  was  taken  there  shortly  after  introduction^  on 
the  islands.  This  insect  is  apparently  making  no  impression 
on  the  horn  fly,  which  was  thicker  there  at  the  time  than  I 
ever  saw  it  anywhere.  But  the  stable  fly  ( Stomoxys  calcitrans) , 
which  is  also  blood  sucking,  has  been  perceptibly  reduced  by 
this  parasite. 
The  Torpedo  bug  parasite  ( Aphanomerus  pusillus)  was  found 
established  in  and  about  Wahiawa  and  keeping  the  pest  well 
within  bounds. 
White  Fly  Enemy . — Sometime  ago  we  received  by  courtesy 
