504. QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Junz, 1898. 
series, p. 15), but: it is only during the present month that it has been found 
in Queensland injuriously associated with the San José Scale, Mr. S. C. 
Voller, to whom it had been previously pointed out as an enemy of the Red 
Seale (A. auraniii), having detected its presence in an orchard at Cooran, some 
100 miles from Brisbane, on the North Coast Railway line. This fungus is 
recognisable by the occurrence of conspicuous pinkish-red excrescences around 
the edges of the scales, that may occur as isolated lobes or—by amalgamation— 
form a complete raised ring. This projecting matter is composed of elongated 
septate spores (conidia). Scale insects affected in this way are often regarded 
by horticulturists as examples of a distinct kind, and designated the Pink Scale. 
Usually when scale insects are parasitised by spherostilbe, almost the whole of 
those occurring upon a tree, on which they exhibit this condition, are similarly 
" victimised. ge: . 
The same fungus has previously been found attacking Pernicious Scale in 
the United States, and is referred to by Coquillet (Bull. 26, Divis. Entom., 
U.S. Dep. Agr.), by Messrs. L. O. Howard and C. L. Marlatt (X., p. 54), and 
others. A full and most interesting account of it, too, is given by Dr. J. B. 
Smith (XV., pp. 470-483), that is especinliy valuable as incorporating a special 
paper on its biology by Prof. S. A. Forbes. From this paper we learn that 
the Ilinois professor was successful in artificially cultivating the Spherostilbe, 
upon peptonised gelatine, potato [bread], and cornmeal. Cultivations from 
the last-mentioned substance were applied to Pernicious Scale-infested trees, 
but without any positive result in infecting its living freight. A better issue 
to the experiments might—it is inferred—have followed the maintenance of 
the cultivation after being applied to the trees in a favourable condition for 
securing germination, and especially so if the bark had been kept moist for a 
few days. Dr. Smith expresses himself as being “quite hopeful for good 
results from this fungus,” though he adds “our experience with similar 
diseases against other insects does not give us any just reason to expect that it 
will do more than check the scale. In favourable seasons it may reduce the 
insects to very small numbers; but with their wonderful powers of reproduction 
a year or two will bring them up to their former point. The worst feature is 
that moist conditions are required for the best development of the fungus, 
while it is in a dry state that the scale is most active. Wet weather, especially 
if at all cold, is in itself a check to the scale, while in dry, warm weather it 
increases enormously ”’ (Op. cit., p. 477). 
This is exactly the writer’s experience in Queensland not only with 
Spherostilbe coccinea in its relation to the scale insects mentioned, but with 
Spherostilbe rectispora, Cooke, of the White Scale of the orange (Chionaspis 
citri) (vid. “Insect and Fungus Pests,” p. 128-9, Brisb. 1889), and with the 
fungus destructive to the species of Lecanium. 
TREATMENT. : 
Trees regarding which it may be presumed that they harbour San José 
Scale, and those on which it is observed to occur, should be disinfected before 
being planted, by being (1) immersed for not less than two minutes in a warm 
wash prepared by dissolving whale-oil soap in water in the proportion of 1 lb. 
to every gallon,* or (2) by being fumigated with hydrocyanic acid gas made by 
subjecting cyanide of potassium to the action of weak sulphuric acid, using 
the following quantities for every 100 square feet of space :—Fused cyanide 
of potassium, pure (98 per cent. strength), 1 oz. weight; sulphuric acid-com- 
mercial, 1 oz. by measure ; water, 3 0z. by measure. Unless a special generator 
is employed, a deep earthenware vessel may serve the purpose; into this put 
in first the water, then the acid, and finally the cyanide. 
*Tf the wash becomes ‘‘glutinous and stringy on cooling,” it may be assumed that the soap 
is of inferior quality. The following directions for making a suitable and exceedingly caustic 
soap are giyen by more than one authority:—Ingredients: Concentrated lye, 35 lb.; water, 
74 gallons; fish oil, 1 gallon. Process of manufacture: Dissolve the lye in boiling water, and to 
the boiling solution add the fish oil; continue boiling for two hours, and then allow to cool. 
