36 INSECTS NOXIOUS TO AGRICULTURE. 
p. 851): viz., the transportation or acclimatization of parasites 
on scale-insects. Doubtless the thing could be done, as experi- 
ments in America have shown. But there are plenty of parasitic 
insects in New Zealand already, and, although they seem to have 
hitherto confined their work to the native and mostly to the in- 
noxious Coccids, they may at any time begin to attack the others, 
and it is only a question of time when they will act usefully as 
efficient checks (see Chap. IV.). 
There is one Coccid of which it must be said that, whilst 
kerosene mixtures will undoubtedly destroy it, by far the best 
remedy of all is to destroy and burn at once the infested trees. 
Icerya purchasi is so voracious and universal a feeder, so repul- 
sive in its aspect, and so destructive in its effects that the most 
drastic remedy is the best. Any one, therefore, having a tree, 
especially an ornamental or a fruit tree, attacked by Jcerya 
purchasi, is strongly recommended to make no delay, but to cut 
down and burn every stick of the tree as soon as possible. 
Tt was observed at the begimning of this chapter that some 
people hold the opinion that the damage done by scale-insects is 
not of importance. The foregoing remarks upon remedies are 
not directed to those who hold this view, which is contradicted 
by the experience not only of other countries but of New Zealand 
itself. 
Authorities referred to in this Chapter. 
U.S. Department of Agriculture— 
Reports by Professor Riley, Professor Comstock, Mr. Hubbard, Mr. L. O, 
Howard. 
N.Z, Parliamentary Papers, 1885— 
Report of the Select Joint Committee of both Houses on the Codlin-moth, 
and ‘* various blights to which fruits are subject.” 
Personal experiment by the author and friends. 
Replies of farmers, gardeners, and tree-growers to inquiries, official or private. 
