1896 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
325 
AN INVITATION TO LADY-BIRD BEETLES. 
WANTED IN NEW JERSEY AT ONCE. 
At the meeting of the Horticultural Society, held 
early in January, one of the points particularly dis¬ 
cussed was the spread of the San Jos6 scale, an in¬ 
sect introduced from California some years ago on 
nursery stock. The species has increased rapidly, 
and is one of the most serious dangers to fruit grow¬ 
ing in southern New Jersey at this time. Insecticide 
applications have not been as successful as was to he 
desired, and the difficulty of reaching all the speci¬ 
mens is so great that it is only under exceptionally 
favorable circumstances that badly infested trees can 
be entirely cleared. 
On the Pacific coast, whence this insect was in¬ 
troduced, it is said that there are certain natural 
enemies that keep it in check, among them, some of 
the lady-birds introduced from Australia, and which 
were intended to destroy the cottony cushion scale. 
It had gradually become a conviction in the minds of 
certain farmers, that the only way in which these in¬ 
sects could be controlled in the East, was to introduce 
some of the very species that keep them in check in 
California, and this was voiced in a paper by Mr. 
Charles Parry. I pointed out the difficulties in the 
way of introducing insects into such widely different 
climates, and called attention to some of the reasons 
why the scheme did not seem to me to offer any very 
overpowering chances of success. Nevertheless, there 
was good authority for the belief that some of the 
species, if properly selected, might endure our varia¬ 
ble New Jersey climate, and I admitted that there 
was, at any rate, to say the least, a possibility that 
the importation could be successfully accomplished, 
and that the insects might survive and multiply. It 
was resolved to request the State Hoard of Agricul¬ 
ture to act in the matter, and to attempt to obtain an 
appropriation for the purpose of carrying on the 
necessary investigations and securing supplies of the 
desired insects. The matter was brought up at the 
meeting of the State Board of Agriculture, also held 
in January, 1896, and a resolution was passed request¬ 
ing the Legislature to appropriate the sum of $1,000 
for the purpose of studying the insect enemies of the 
San JosG scale oand introducing them, or some of 
them, into the State of New Jersey. The matter was 
duly presented to the Committee of Agriculture, was 
favorably acted upon, and the appropriation of $1,000, 
to make it immediately available, was introduced into 
the Deficiency bill which recently received the signa¬ 
ture of the Governor and became a law. 
To carry out the work, it is my intention to leave 
for California at once, and to make my first investiga¬ 
tion at Los Angeles, studying there the character of 
the predatory species found feeding on scales in gen¬ 
eral, and upon the San Jos6 scale in particular, and 
investigating also their life history, to determine 
which offer the best chances of surviving in the East. 
Fifteen points have been selected to which the Cali¬ 
fornian insects will be distributed ; of these, 13 are in 
New Jersey. The cooperation of Prof. P. H. Rolfs of 
Florida has been secured, and he will take charge of 
sendings that can be colonized in the infested regions 
in Florida. The entomologist to the United States 
Department of Agriculture, Mr. L. 0. Howard, will 
also cooperate in this effort, and will place colonies, 
as they reach him, in some infested orchard either in 
Maryland or Virginia, or both, as may be most con¬ 
venient, or offer the best chances of success. 
The object of placing the colonies in Florida and in 
Virginia or Maryland, is to give the insects from the 
Pacific coast as many chances as possible of becoming 
acclimated. It may be that they will survive without 
trouble in Florida, and that from Florida, colonies 
can be more easily obtained to be sent to the North. 
If they survive in Virginia, it would be easy to select 
specimens to send to New Jersey in future years, and 
the chances are that each generation will become a 
little better fitted to sustain our changeable climate. 
Besides Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Jos6, 
Marysville and the regions surrounding these places 
will be visited, and in each case, the predatory species 
that is doing the most effective work will be gathered 
and sent to the East. john b. smith. 
New Jersey Experiment Station. 
We can remember the time when the great majority 
of farmers believed that it was of little use to try to 
make apple trees bear a crop in an off year. At last 
there came, here and there, men who claimed that, 
by properly feeding and caring for a tree, it could be 
made to bear a fair crop each year. This idea of 
driving off the “ off ” seemed like upsetting Nature to 
many a farmer ; but it is growing, because the reason 
for it is being made plain. For example, this is what 
an observing farmer in Maryland has noticed : 
The persistent use of the spray pump in my apple orchards, of 
late years, seems to have changed, to a great extent, the bearing 
years to the “ off ” or lucky ones. Has any one else ever noticed 
this peculiarity ? 
We have heard the same thing mentioned by farmers 
in other parts of the country. The careful spraying 
has kept down the attacks of insects and fungi, and 
this, carried on for a number of years, has given the 
tree new vigor, especially where it has been liberally 
fed and carefully pruned. It does not, therefore, ex¬ 
haust itself with one large crop, and then stand idle 
for a year, accumulating energy for another crop. The 
“ off ” year generally represented a vacation brought 
about by overwork. Continued spraying and feeding 
render the vacation unnecessary. That is about the 
story. 
© 
Encouraged by the success of the legislation 
against oleomargarine and filled cheese, Representa¬ 
tive Cooper, of Wisconsin, has introduced a bill defin¬ 
ing pure beer. This bill defines adulterated beer as 
fermented liquor, containing any substances of what¬ 
ever name or nature, used as a substitute or in place 
of pure barley, malt or hops, or pure hop extract. 
Manufacturers of adulterated beer are to pay $2,500 
in addition to the present taxes, and wholesale dealers 
$1,000 extra, and retailers $250. Special taxes and 
fines are also levied, and wherever adulterated beer 
is sold, notices in German and in English must be 
posted informing the public of the fact. The design 
of this bill is twofold. First, to protect the manufac¬ 
turers of the pure article, and second, to protect the 
public against adulterated goods. It is said that, of 
late years, the sales of adulterated beer have increased 
enormously, so that to-day, but comparatively little 
of the really pure article is sold at retail. The R. 
N.-Y. would get along very well if there were no beer 
brewed at all. We are happy to state that beer is not 
essential to our existence or happiness. At the same 
time, so long as this liquor is legally brewed and sold, 
we are in favor of every reasonable restriction that 
shall compel manufacturers to make a pure article, 
and avoid the introduction of injurious drugs and 
other substances. 
BUSINESS BITS. 
The Henry Phillipps Seed and Implement Co., Toledo, O., make 
something of a specialty of grass seeds of all kinds. They are also 
manufacturers of the Little Giant seeders. Their catalogue and 
price list may be had free. 
That enterprising seedsman, J. C. Vaughan, of 86 Randolph 
Street, Chicago, Ill., has a branch store at 14 Barclay Street, New 
York, so that his customers can order from the nearest place. 
Just now he wishes to send samples of his Evergreen sweet corn 
for a two-cent stamp. 
For running a cream separator, a Churn, or an ice cream 
freezer, the Baby Junior tread power is just what is needed. It is 
made by the St. Albans Foundry Co., St. Albans, Vt. This house 
makes a large line of tread powers for heavier farm work such 
as running thrashing machines, ensilage cutters and wood saws. 
Any goods made by this firm will be found first-class in every 
particular. 
Willm. Cooper & Nephews, Galveston, Tex., request secretaries 
of all State and county fairs to apply to them for copy for iuser 
tions in premium lists of a special premium which they intend to 
present to every winner of a sheep premium at all the 1896 fairs. 
The special premiums will be given only wheye officially referred 
to in the premium list of the fair. 
Slug Shot has the advantage of killing bugs without injuring 
the foliage of plants. It is also harmless to domestic animals, 
though it will kill lice on cattle or dogs. Though it kills currant 
worms, cabbage worms and potato bugs, the writer has seen Mr. 
Hammond eat It out of his hand. It can be distributed with Leg¬ 
gett’s dry powder gun. Hammond’s Slug Shot Works, Fishkill- 
on-Hudson, N. Y., will send full information if desired. 
The De Laval Separator Co., 74 Cortlandt Street, New York, 
have added a new machine to their already full line of separa¬ 
tors. This new machine is the smallest of the Baby separators, 
and is called the “ Humming-Bird.” It is operated by a ratchet 
strap instead of a crank like the other Baby machines, the motion 
being backward and forward. It is said that it may be operated 
easily by women or children, and is intended for very small 
dairies, or households where small quantities of cream are desired. 
The Noblestown Mfg. Co., Noblestown, Pa., are making abutter 
package which they call the Burton dry air preserving and stor¬ 
age vessel, which we think will meet with favor. It consists of a 
cedar pail covered air-tight with lid and clasps, inside of which is a 
glass vessel protected on all sides with springs, and also covered 
air-tight by a lid which is held down by means of a steel spring. 
The underside of the lid rests on a liard-rubber gasket where it 
comes in contact with the mouth of the glass vessel. The butter, 
milk, cream, or fruit is put in the glass vessel, which is in itself 
not only air-tight, but is also surrounded by a cushion of dead air 
in the cedar pail. Being insulated, it is free from electric influ¬ 
ence, and it is claimed that it will keep butter almost indefinitely. 
The Mapes fertilizers have always been regarded as standard 
goods. They are always well mixed, dry and fine, so that it is 
possible to secure the most perfect distribution. Whenever sam¬ 
pled fairly for analysis, they are sure to show more than the 
guaranteed per cent of available plant food. They are composed 
of the best forms of chemicals—in fact, they represent the highest 
type of the fertilizer-maker’s art. This year’s prices are reduced, 
especially on the corn manure. There is likely to be a heavy 
planting of corn in many parts of the East, so that the Mapes 
Corn Manure will be specially useful this year. The Mapes Com¬ 
pany, 143 Liberty Street, New York, have issued a pamphlet en¬ 
titled, “The Brighter Side of Farming.” Send for it. It is a good 
thing to read in connection with “ Blue Stone,” on page 328. 
Prices Reduced 1896—Standard Fully Maintained. 
THE * MAPES' MANURES 
For Com, Sweet Corn, Potatoes, Tobacco, Cauliflowers, 
Cabbages, Celerv, Late Truck, Corn Fodder, Hungarian 
Crass, Mangolds, Turnips, Fruit Trees, Gherkins, Hops, Etc. 
THESE MANURES CAN BE APPLIED AT PLANTING AS A TOP-DRESSING, OR AT HOEING. THEY WILL SUFFER 
LITTLE, IF ANY, LOSS OF STRENGTH BY EXPOSURE ON THE GROUND. 
THE MAPES MANURES AT THE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 
[From the American Agriculturist, March 30, 1895.] 
The Mapes Fertilizers have long been recognized as the standard in 
quality. Mr. Mapes, like his father, Prof. Mapes, before him, has been a 
leader in developing the manufacture of fertilizers of the highest grade. 
He believes that the best fertilizers are the cheapest, and demonstrates this 
by the analyses of his goods, not only for the present year, but for a long 
series of years. In every ease the Mapes fertilizers are found to contain 
even more actual plant food than is stated in their guarantee, so that they 
can always be depended upon to give value received. As to their crop-pro¬ 
ducing power, and the profit that follows the use of the Mapes manures, 
thousands of farmers testify in the most emphatic manner. The books of 
the Mapes Company contain an immense fund of practical and valuable 
information on the whole subject of fertility, and can be consulted to ad¬ 
vantage by every farmer. Mr. Mapes has long been careful to employ not 
only the best materials in making the Mapes manures, but to supply the 
nitrogen, particularly, in various forms, so as not only to give the crop a 
good start, but back it up as the season advances. The importance of this 
matter is emphasized by the article, on page 6 of this issue, on the crop- 
producing power of nitrogen in different forms. It will be noticed that the 
difference between average cost and chemist’s valuation of these goods is 
only half as much as with the ordinary fertilizers. 
Our specialty is complete manuring for each crop and building up the strength of the soil. Any of the books, including Mortgage Lifters, Fertilizer Farming, 
Fertilizers and Fruit, Tobacco Growing, Top-Dressing and Seeding Down to Grass, and Descriptive Pamphlets, will be mailed free. 
The Mapes Formula and Peruvian Cuano Company, 143 Liberty Street, New York. 
