Reports to the Board of A gri culture. 25 
These small red spots are not scales nor the stage of any insect, 
the quince having red bark spots. 
It is important to notice whether we have scale on the tree or 
whether the markings are normal plant structures. Scales are often 
very harmful in this country and should be checked before they get 
the upper hand of the tree and sap its vitality. 
Three washes may be used for scale insects : — 
1. Paraffin emulsion. 
2. Ptesin wash. 
3. Caustic alkali wash. 
The first (paraffin emulsion) is chiefly of use when the young 
scale insects are emerging from beneath the scales ; observations 
personally by the grower must be made, as the times of hatching vary 
very much. 
Caustic alkali wash is the most beneficial to use (vide article in 
the September number of the Board “ Journal”). 
Fumigation with hydrocyanic acid gas is the best scale remedy, 
but is difficult to apply to large trees. Should this be employed, full 
information will always be sent from this Department. 
Winter washing with caustic alkali wash is strongly advised. 
Life-history of Scales (Coccidac.) 
The eggs of the Coccidse are found under the scales ; the young 
scales are minute, active, six-legged insects with projecting antennae 
(“ horns ”) and often hair-like processes. They can only be seen 
with a strong magnifying power. Scales (Coccidae) are provided 
with a long piercing mouth, which the larvae thrust into the bark, 
leaf or fruit. The larvae then degenerate, and by degrees form over the 
body a scaly covering — beneath which you find the mature female, 
which is legless ; the male scale insect is rare, and unlike the female 
is active, having a pair of wings. Scale insects on trees in the open 
pass the winter in Great Britain mostly in the egg stage beneath the 
scales, a few as immature females. 
Scale Insects on Plum Trees. 
Plum trees sometimes suffer from scales. The Oyster-Shell 
Lark Louse ( A.sjpidiotus ostrecef or mis, Curtis) is found on plum. A 
biown Lecanium lias also been found, but was not identified. 
The Japanese Fruit Scale ( Diaspis amygdcdi ) also occurs on plum, 
and thus care should be taken to examine all Japanese cherries that 
