sO 24 a N4R42 ENT REPOR | OF. THE ENTOMOLOGIGAL WEPARTMENT OF- THE New Jersey Agricultural College Experiment Station, New Brunswick, N. J. BY JOHN: Be SMELH, Se.D., For the Year 1904. PATERSON, N. J.: NEWS PRINTING COMPANY, i STATE PRINTERS j TABLE OF CONTENTS. Pages. Heportof the Entomologist 2 (curs chron elt. | cae. 555-652 OTe Ca IEE EN Wa rete Srp eC cis Saou) Wem, ya ey 557-565 S/S JOSS) ASN UN eee ee a edie ee a a 557 Inpro du cecminseet sis ac ears eo enon 558 mitailer Dice Amséete 8 jos tae ens 2 Cee 559 Li@edtOVBCeL Ga are ye nn abn ee roe ee es 560 ODMR WICTRIN Gi. aerate Sha Aa Ree Oe eS 560 Sub berty \Weeviliaccicr). 0) enc ee a ae 561 Inseciicides and Machinery: nse: tee bk. 561 MES CCHANICOUSS tata Feu severe cee ee oe eee 562 The Statlonval St louis wate wee. areas 563 Entomology in the Crop Bulletin. ...5.....0.0.4-..0 565-567 the Cottony Maple Scale..:-) 0.2 ae ee 567 The Codling® Moth: < Ce Jo0) pan cams ol nen ea eae 570 Cranberry, ANSeCtsy.. aarti. My. Sa eae ee, ea 574 aie = Astatieslady-bird sBeetle:c.20.96.0. . ast tee 575-585 Investigations made in Georgia..................... 578 Chilocorus similis at New Brunswick............ 583 The Chinese Mantis Tenodera Sinensis in New Jersey.. 585 Record of Experiments made in Marsh Orchard=. 5-— 587-603 Record of the Experiment Orchard.................... 603-628 the: Lime and-Sulphur Washes.<:.........-., 629 inume;, Sulphur and Caustic |Sodace.+5 4.3.22... 634 Qa SHC EIS Of aii srg tenes ae i aes te ee 638 SUEY SS Pe Aes or FRU, Ss phe aoe Ra cee, ea 642 Universal Insecticide and Scale Killer.............. 643 Petmoleum-: Brenarationsis<) cdo ss eee. ee 644 HS OSS ae rk trae ivan Os oe cae oP Wie ee at 646 Pyrol Tree and Plant SDELYVAGra tee iota eee 647 Horticultural: Compound... 25.42.2050 2 648 Roseleat- Tobacco »Mxtract -..2. alec. le ek 651 ee 2 ee Ga See ae oh. To om Lhe: ots —— ee , 4 oe { AE Fas) a > ar aks Serie “Fo: 4 ca ee oe _. yes Sk el ee 16 ed Ye eee ee =a Oe x oes Wy yy ¥ for eat Pause bt Moan Dl roe Pf era pre ee rnd oh ¥ Wane vy mid a ® ‘ Ld Wy 7 rT. rw ee mn ae 2 ee — * wa - oo sa an + : 7 wy wr LP ae a A” en ae ae x + i a yy v2 "a tom! ol . ys ee) cs 4 Po) @hc evan was 5 aS Re ee As Ie. Saree 3. 8 aa Giles ae ioe hd a a Maal sa a ly v Tie a) id ————— Report of the Entomologist. (555) eal a we i) r 4 -¢ oa : u . iv = Dh ae : *4 ay oe . wes Ba - Report of the Entomologist, By Joun B. Smiru, Sc. D. GENERAL REVIEW. The winter of 1903-’04 was remarkable for continuous cold weather ; the temperature did not reach points as low as in some preceding winters, but maintained for « long period a level far below freezing and often very close to the zero mark. As a result some kinds of plants and trees suffered severely and it became a matter ot some interest to learn what the effect had been upon insects. It is sometimes easy, but not always just, to charge any abnormal appearance in plant or insect life to the weather, and it is yet more difficult to prove a charge. However, practically all peach blossoms were killed in the experiment orchard, a few young trees died and my privet hedge was killed nearly to the sur- face of the ground; so as these were chargeable to the cold, some of the peculiarities of insect distribution may be equally so refer- able. First of all, the most obvious feature of the year was a tremen- dous increase in the San Jose or pernicious scale throughout the State. Before the season opened there were many inquiries as to whether ‘the severe winter had not destroyed or severely checked it. I discouraged all hopes of this kind but an unusual delay in starting brought a renewal of the inquiry. It was not until after the middle of June that the first larvee were seen on the trees and it was nearer the 20th before they were et all obvious; but during the early days of July I found the heaviest set of young on the trees that I had ever seen. The rate of increase during July and early August was not so unusual; but in September and early October it was simply phenomenal. Trees that had been consid- ered reasonably clean in spring were almost incrusted in early fall and some growers that had left trees untreated in the belief that they would stand it safely another year, found twigs and branches dying from scale attack. Nothing seemed to stop them. The records of the Experiment Orchard, and of the work done in the Marsh Orchard will show that out of apparently small remnants, thorough infestations were built up, and our orchards as a whole (557) 558 NEW JERSEY STATE AGRICULTURAL, are this early winter of 1904, more completely infested than ever before in the history of the species. And not only orchards have suffered; trees and shrubs in gardens have become infested as never previously and yet a real effort to deal with the insect in such places was made in many localities! Unfortunately the results of the efforts were not all that was hoped ; for as the effects of the winter—for lack of a better reason —some of the insecticides used failed utterly to kill or even to check. The lime and sulphur combinations which had been made our main reliance were absolutely ineffective in some cases and relatively so in others. Parasitic and predatory insects were distressingly rare in most localities and as to insect diseases, nothing was seen of them. In a few places the twice-stabbed lady-bird, Chilocorus bivulnerus, appeared early in the season and matured one brood of larve. Later on, in mid-summer, 'Pentilia misella was more or less plenti- ful in some orchards, but even that was not nearly so numerous as usual. Connected with this matter is the attempt to introduce and acclimate the Asiatic lady-bird, Chilocorus similis. During the season of 1903 a number of colonies were distributed in New Jersey and these seem to have been wiped out of existence; at all events nothing was seen of them. ‘To restock, if possible, I made a trip to Georgia during the latter part of July because during the year preceding these beetles had increased largely in that State. But Georgia was little better off than New Jersey in this respect, the insects appearing as a scant remnant where they had occurred in abundance. Nevertheless I secured a portion of that remnant and introduced them into an infested orchard not far from New Brunswick, where no sprayings are intended and where the insects will be allowed to develope undisturbed. It is to be feared, however, that after the exhibition of comparative hardiness as between scale and beetle, it will be unsafe to depend much upon this natural check. While the introduction of the Chinese Mantis Tenodera sin- ensis is not of equal practical interest at present, it is interesting to note that it also seems to have registered an objection to our climatic conditions and to have reduced itself almost to the vanish- ing point. All my reports were negative until I saw Mr. Colling- wood on Hope Farm, November 14th. He told me that they found occasional specimens and that the children had reported them from time to time. But the Hope Farm man treats all * EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 559 things so considerately that in sheer gratitude the insects may have survived for him and no one else. Shade tree insects attracted attention because of an unusual development of the Cottony Maplé Scale, which, however, was largely limited to cities near the Atlantic coast. Climatic or other causes not entomological had severely affected many maple and some other trees in Newark, Montclair and the Oranges and the officers in charge and residents became concerned in consequence, tending to charge all things to insects and demanding of the entomologist a cure for all ills. A consideration of the Cottony Scale will be found on another page. Hardly had the fear of the one scale subsided, when the Pseu- dococcus aceris made its appearance on the trunks and branches causing further inquiry. But this did not become especially abundant and was very local in its manifestations. The Vaporer Moth was also locally abundant; but was limited even in the cities in which it appeared. Thus, in Newark, only a few streets in certain sections of the city showed any sort of in-- festation. In the surrounding towns the insect was almost entirely absent. The elm-leaf beetle was so little in evidence that no spraying was done on the College elms and there was little evidence of the work anywhere in New Brunswick. So in Newark, Elizabeth and the smaller surrounding cities and towns there was not enough to attract especial attention. On the whole, elms have not looked so well in years and the brood that came to maturity in mid-summer was the smallest I have known for some seasons. Nevertheless there is a brood in hibernation and, while not a very large one, it is of sufficient extent to cause trouble next year (1905) should climatic and other conditions be favorable. Cabbage worms became locally abundant during the latter part of the season; but were not nearly so bad as they have been in some years past. Nevertheless considerable injury was done and the demand for information as to methods of treatment was heavy for a time. Onion maggots were more widely distributed and more gen- erally complained of than in any previous year. There had been local outbreaks of a severe character, and in some places growers have to deal with more or less of the insects each year; but never before were they so generally abundant and injurious. Root mag- gots are difficult things to deal with at best because they are be- yond the reach of ordinary insecticide applications. On light land the quick-acting fertilizers were advised with general good suc- 560 NEW JERSEY STATE AGRICULTURAL. cess. They act as a stimulant to growth and when run in along the rows close to the plants seem to exercise a positive effect as well. On heavier land they do not seem to act as well, and there the carbolic acid emulsion was advised. In every case taking out and destroying the infested plants was urged. This does not of course save anything for the present season, but it prevents the maggots or larve from coming to maturity and in that way lessens the supply for next year. In taking out infested plants in such cases a trowel or similar tool should be used that all the maggots attached to the outside of the bulb may be secured. Simply pulling the plant out usually results in leaving a portion of the maggots in the soil to make their way to another plant or come to maturity as the case may be. Growing onions in a section infested by the maggot demands constant attention, prompt action and a looking to the future effect of whatever action is taken. Potato beetles were, on the whole less abundant during the early part of the summer than usual; but that must be taken as a very general statement, for in some places they appeared in normal numbers. After mid-summer they increased rapidly and, as in general, the potato crop was beyond reach of injury, no destructive action was taken they swarmed over everything eatable for them late in the season. The hibernating brood is, therefore, unusually large and promises to make up in activity next year what was missed during the early days of 1904. One of the interesting features of the season was the almost entire absence of the corn worm, Heliothis armiger, in localities where usually it is a pest so universal that growers take it as a matter of course and unavoidable. From several points in Glou- cester and Burlington counties where sweet corn is grown for the city market in great quantity, farmers advised me of this unusual fact; some claiming the total absence of the insect as against an 80 per cent. infestation in previous seasons. This put me upon inquiry and I found that almost throughout the State the insect was less abundant than usual ; but that in the southern half of the State the difference was uniformly more apparent. Grocers and marketmen with whom I spoke confirmed this general conclusion and there seems little doubt that the winter of 1903-04 was unusually hard on this insect and destroyed a large percentage of the hibernating pup. Just how this desirable result was ob- tained is less clear. EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 561 Fig. 1. The Strawberry Weevil; a, strawberry plant with blossoms cut by the beetle; b, the cut buds; c, the egg; d, the larva; e, its head; f, pupa; g, an open blossom showing holes eaten by the beetle; b to f, much enlarged. From Div. of Ent., U. S. Dept. of Agi. The Strawberry Weevil was locally abundant, and especially in parts of Atlantic county where the injury was attributed to a saw-fly. ‘There was no very general occurrence throughout the State, however, and no very large loss was reported. From in- formation received and reports at hand it would seem as if in some of the more southern States an unusually heavy loss was inflicted. A large part of the time of the entomologist was devoted to practical tests of insecticides and the study of the results obtained by others in actual field and orchard work. While these tests were chiefly directed toward securing a reliable remedy for the per- nicious scale, the results are applicable to a much wider range of insects and will also determine the effect upon the trees and plants to which they were applied. Quite a number of the preparations tried represent commercial attempts to secure a scale killer and the indications are that these attempts will be successful. Ina general way the usefulness of the lime and sulphur compounds for sum- mer work was under consideration and. besides the Experiment Orchard, some 300 trees in the peach orchard of Mr. George O. Marsh, near Chester, were used as subjects. Another index to the increasing interest in insecticide applica- tions is the increase in variety of spraying machinery. Power 562 NEW JERSEY STATE AGRICULTURAL, sprayers are no longer rarities and at least one of our fruit grow- ers has two of them in service and a large “dust-sprayer” as well. Most of the makers of spray pumps now have also a power outfit and sell equipments with wagons, spray-towers and everything else, complete. The city of Newark, through its Shade Tree Commission, contemplated the purchase of a spraying outfit and intrusted the matter of securing bids to me. The result showed an unexpected number and variety of machines so that choice was difficult. A distinctly useful new form is that type of machine geared from the axle to an air pump which, as the wagon moves along accumulates pressure to do the active work of spraying. This is an improvement upon the machine geared from axle directly to the pump, which stopped whenever the wagon did. Now, in driving from the yard to the orchard, sufficient pressure to spray sev eral trees is accumulated, and this is kept up in the driving through the orchard in actual spraying work. The great- est advance in this direction is a machine in which the expansive power of liquid carbonic acid gas is employed in securing a uni- form pressure. Miscellaneous. Two Bulletins have been issued from this Department since the date of the last Report: number 169, “Insecticides and Their Use”, and number 171, “The Common Mosquitoes of New Jer- sey.” Material is in hand for an essay on shade tree insects and some attention has been paid of late to those becoming trouble- some or injurious indoors. The work of the State Entomologist has continued along the same lines as in previous years and Mr. Edgar I. Dickerson is still assistant. During the winter T attended a meeting of the Horticultural Inspectors at Washington, D. C., where the general subjects of interest were fully discussed by representatives from all sections of the country. A full report on this work, which is of vital importance to the fruit-growing industries of the State, will be made to the State Board of Agriculture. The mosquito inv estigation has been completed and the final report has been handed in for publication. It is believed that the solution of this problem in our State has been worked out, and that by patient labor, tending to convince communities of the feasibility of the plan proposed, together with some assistance from the State, the final control and practical extermination of the mosquito pest is a matter of a comparatively short time. During the winter of 1903-’04, it was suggested by the State FIG. 2 The Mosquito Case ; with a small part of the exhibit of Forestry Insects, at St. Louis. From a photograph, at ‘et ‘ ., 7 ae f 7 > 7 — —¥ ae - ope oe *. —— ce ve) In 2 9 lo a ° ha rm ° ee) ) > oD N * 3 + + + my Sc) n Ls xt xX N é $ + + an oy + te 'o Ps \ " 2 m ca) & <) + hes ° 3 is a) S @ bel + + + a) ts n ES te i is X x x nN nm to ) Ss a BS la n io] a i + 2d 2 ” bat an 9 + st + i > os rm Me) x x = x Sy XN Ke +t r Re ) “ lo a Pa % % i + + ra m x N me N eS 4 pe XN 3 ° wo & ~s io) ~ N = x N aye < F ae f : re s oO x 5 1) x b a rs) iS ro) y Q x ps ft N o & ae NX + ic) ic) ned Ln) x x a > ye a 3 ° xn N lo 9 ey ) to a 0 12) KR + + = 2 = a Mt w) ° uv © re) m te 12 © x x NX re x go b aS bh y P S oO od + ~ ° NS < = 3 = b) a ‘ + +z pid S Nn K ° ° = + 1D D m to oO be) iD AS x x v v . = = pa a a: 0 R “ w 0 Ke ~ 8 kK 2 = 3) on in) S + + ° 3° NK xe) fo} » a wv Od S 0 ce} nS te nm io X Ne by X : b X-Oprayed trees Diagram of the MarshjOrchard, showing arrangement and varieties. EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 587 previous and a single egg mass was found. This was taken to the laboratory to determine its condition, but as nothing emerged the eggs apparently were dead and this proved to be the case upon examination. The killing may have been due to the severe win- ter and if that was the case it is probable that many of the egg masses in other localities suffered similarly and this would mean that the establishment and distribution of this insect in the State had received a check. In all, the egg masses have been distributed in seventeen differ- ent localities, four of which received them for two years. This has given a variety of conditions and situations under which the insect might develope and become a fixture. RECORD OF EXPERIMENTS MADE IN THE MARSH ORCHARD. Early in 1904, I arranged with one of my assistants in the mosquito investigation, Mr. Harold O. Marsh, for a series of experiments with Insecticides, to be carried on in the peach orchard of his father, Mr. George O. Marsh, near Chester, Mor- ris county. I had seen the orchard personally and knew it to be badly infested with scale; so badly that a considerable number of trees were already dead or dying, and others had considerable dead wood. The trees had passed the winter fairly well and there was some fruit prospect, but altogether, conditions were such that if radical measures were not adopted, the orchard was doomed. As Mr. Marsh had not intended to adopt these active measures himself, and as my experimental work promised at least a measure of relief he assented readily to my request. The outfit for the first experimental applications consisted of a Gould Bucket Pump with additional lengths of hose and a bam- boo spraying rod; but this was almost immediately replaced by a Deming “Gardener’s Choice” outfit, consisting of a half barrel tank on a pair of iron wheels, moved by a hollow iron handle. The pump was mounted on the tank over the iron support, and altogether this proved a very practical outfit for sloping orchard work, on trees not over 15 feet high in any case. We had Ver- morel, Mistry and Bordeaux nozzles, but the Vermorel was chiefly used. Additional lengths of hose brought the amount up to 20 feet, and the bamboo spray rod supplied for the bucket pump was transferred to this outfit. The actual spraying was done, first by Mr.. FE. L. Dickerson: my assistant as State Entomologist with Harold O. Marsh at the pump, and afterward by Harold with stich assistance as could be ‘ojoyd [eursi10 ue WIOA, = “plvyoro Ysrey OY} Ul IYINO Ssurkeidg ot, 6 ‘Old ‘aah = 4 ¢ EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. _ 589 salt, or “Con-Sol.”” Use at the rate of 1 to 50, experimentally on I tree, and examine 24 hours later. If no material injury appears, prepare 50 gallons of the mixture and spray as many trees as may be thoroughly covered with it. It will be noticed that the object here is to test the lime and sul- phur preparations as summer washes, and peach foliage, being least resistant, furnishes the best subject. Pursuant to instructions, trees Nos. 1, 2 and 3 were sprayed with the Potassium sulphide 1 pound in 5 gallons of water. ‘Trees 4, 5 and 10, were sprayed with the same, 1 pound in 3 gallons of water. Trees 6, 7 and 8 were sprayed with the Potassium sul- phide and lime as directed in Experiment 3. Tree 9 was sprayed as a test with the sulphite of soda,t pound in 5 gallons of water, on June 18th, and on June 2oth, additional trees 13, 14, 15 and 16 were sprayed. Tree 12 was sprayed as u test with the sulphide of soda and lime under Experiment 5, June 18th, and on the 2oth, additional trees 17 and 18 were sprayed. ‘Tree 11 was sprayed with the “Con Sol,” 1 to 50, June 18th, and on the 20th, adai- tional trees 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 were sprayed. ‘The number -of treated trees was less than directed in some cases; but good reasons existed for the departure from instructions. Experiments I, 2 and 4 were not afterward duplicated, hence they can be finally recorded at this point. In ail cases the trees had a few small dead twigs and branches. No crawling larve were observed on the 18th, but there were many examples be- neath the adult scales, ready to emerge. A few young were observed on the 19th, and not until the 2cth was “here any general movement. EXPERIMENT I—Potassium i pound, water 5 gallons; a simple solution; applied to trees 1, 2 and 3, June 18th. Trees 1 and 2 were fully covered until everything looked wet; tree 3 was sprayed fo a drip. Afternoon warm and the trees dried rapidly, having a washed appearance and a slightly bluish tint. June roth, the leaves at the centre of the tree had a scalded appearance; June 20th, the damage to the foliage was more apparent, while no decided effect was noticeable on the scales. July 3rd, most of the old leaves had dropped and new foliage was developing at the tips of the twigs. On tree 3, the tender shoots at the center of the tree, where the drenching was most complete, were partly killed. The variety was Reeves Favorite. As to the scales, there had been, undoubtedly, a thinning out; but active larvee and recent sets were found on each tree in considerable abundance. July 16th, the scalded foliage had disappeared, the 590 “NEW JERSEY STATE AGRICULTURAL. new foliage was more abundant and so were the recent scale sets. As a whole the trees looked a little better than before. July 30th, except for the thin foliage, confined mainly to the outer portion of the trees, no abnormality was obvious. The scales had increased steadily in number and all stages from active larve to breeders were well represented. August 13th, something had happened ; the older scales were mostly dead, the recent sets were not so numerous as before; and the moving larve were very scarce. But from this point the insects made a new start and on Sep- tember 7th it was decided to respray with the “Con. Sol’, 1 part to water 40 parts. Even this application, at-winter strength did not check the increase and, when I saw them, October ard, the trees were in an extremely bad condition with scale simply swarming everywhere. ‘The proportion of scales killed in the first application had not been sufficiently large to prevent complete re-infestation before mid-summer. The apparent check in August could not be credited to the June application, all traces of which had long since disappeared. The severe effect on the foliage would have reacted upon the fruit had there been any. EXPERIMENT 2—Potassium sulphide 1 pound, in water 3 gal- Ions; a simple solution; applied to trees 4, 5 and 10, all Reeves Favorite, June 18th, under the same conditions as in Experi- ment I. June roth and 20th progressive scalding of the leaves was noted, and on July 3rd, the trees were almost completely defoli- ated; only a little start being made from the tips. Part of the young shoots in the center of the tree were killed. As to the effect on the scale; a large percentage had been killed, without doubt ; but there were yet a fair number of living adults, a num- ber of new sets and also some crawling larve. July 16th, the trees were slowly recovering from the shock and the scale situa- tion had improved, materially; most of the older sets examined seemed to be dead, and the number of young had been materially reduced. July 30th, there had been no material change and that was also the record August 13th. September 7th, there had been sufficient increase to warrant spraying with the “Con-Sol,” but this helped nothing and, October 3rd, when I saw the trees, there had been an enormous increase, every tree swarming with larvee and recent sets. The effectiveness of this application cannot be reasonably doubted; but the foliage suffered so severely that it cannot be recommended. It was not, in any event, sufficiently active to bring the scale down to such a point that the trees could be safely EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 591 left to themselves until the end of the season. The fearful in- crease in September completely re-coated the trees and left them in as bad a condition as they had been before. EXPERIMENT 4—Sodium sulphite 1 pound, water 5 gallons: a simple solution; applied on tree 9, Reeves Favorite, June 18th. The application was thorough, to test effect on foliage, etc. The tree had a few smaller twigs and branches dead, was very scaly, without active larve, but plenty of young beneath the parent scales, ready to move. When dry the tree’ presented a washed appearance, but no discoloration. Next day there was no trace of injury to the foliage and, on June 20th, no adverse appear- ance having developed, trees 13, 14, 15 and 16, of the same variety and in the same general condition as 9, were carefully covered with the same solution. At that time the scale on tree g seemed to be as little affected as the tree itself. July 3rd, when all the trees were examined, no effect was noticeable on foliage or scales ; the soda was harmless to both. No better results developed on future examinations and the trees became rapidly worse—in no respects different from those entirely untreated. The second set of applications was made July Ist to 4th, in- clusive, under the following directions: EXPERIMENT 7—Use the concentrated solution (“Con-Sol’’) 1 to 50, on one row or block,: including all the varieties in the orchard, even if it is necessary to spray an isolated tree in a row separated from the others. It is estimated that 45 to 50 trees can be sprayed with that amount of solution. ExPERIMENT 8—Potassium sulphide, 1 pound: lime, 2 pounds ; water, 5 gallons. Prepare as before and make up 50 gallons; esti- mated to spray about 50 trees. EXPERIMENT 9—Sodium sulphite, 1 pound; lime, 2 pounds; water, 5 gallons. Prepare as before and make up enough to spray 50 trees. EXPERIMENT 10—Make up the lime, soda and sulphur mix- ture, according to formula on page 14 of Bulletin No. 169; but double the amount of water. Try this experimentally to see whether it injures foliage. If no harm is done after 48 hours, spray 50 trees. If injury is apparent, abandon the wash. Assuming that the last named mixture cannot be used and that the trees yet unsprayed are badly covered with crawling larve, spray with the mixture referred to in either Experiment 8 or 9; whichever appears to have been most effective. EXPERIMENT t1—Test the two Dreer mixtures. One part to 2c, by weight: i. e., 1 ounce by weight of the material in 25 592 NEW JERSEY STATE AGRICULTURAL. ounces by measure of water. Spray only one tree with each, to test effects on foliage. The ‘“Dreer Mixtures” were two small samples in a pasty con- dition of lime and sulphur combinations with certain additions to add to the effect. They were primarily intended for winter application, but I decided to give them a summer test as a pre- liminary. It was intended, should they prove satisfactorily effec- tive, to put them on the market. It will be noted, also, that the amount of lime in the combina- tion with the Potassium and Sodium is much reduced. This was done to make spraying easier and clogging of the nozzles less likely. Pursuant to these instruction, trees number 302 to 355 inclu- sive were sprayed July 2nd, with the “Con-Sol”; trees 200 to 249 inclusive were sprayed July Ist, with the Potassium and lime combination; trees 250 to 301 inclusive, were sprayed, July Ist and 2nd, with the Sodium sulphite and lime combination; trees 25 and 26 were sprayed, July Ist, (as a test) and trees 356 to 376 inclusive July 4th, with the lime, soda and sulphur com- bination; trees 28 and 29 were sprayed July 2nd, with the Dreer Mixture No. I, and tree 27 was sprayed with the Dreer Mixture No. 2 July 2nd. Examinations were made of the treated trees July 16th and goth and again August 13th. On the July examinations notes were made on the individual trees in each series of tests, but no further examinations were made. August 13th the following points were looked to, under instructions : 1. Make notes on each group of trees, as was done in the last series. 2. Note the numbers of all trees that are very badly infested, and their general character, i. e., whether very large, straggling, rough-barked, ete. 3. Note the numbers of all trees that are very slightly infested and their general characters as in No. 2. 4. Note whether the sprayed trees as a whole are better than those unsprayed, in color of foliage, etc. 5. Note any apparent difference in color of foliage as between the dif- ferent groups of applications, 6. Spray any of the experiment trees that demand it, with the “Con- Sol,” 1 to 40. The general result was, that taking the orchard as a whole, it had a yellowish, sickly appearance without apparent sections wndicating sprayed trees. On closer comparison the color of the foliage was no better on the sprayed trees, while the leaves were Era ove ay FIG. 10 1 photo. ina o t=) i From an or the Marsh orchard, in th potassium sulphide and Ilme praying wi Ss EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 593 somewhat ragged and mottled compared with those that had not been treated. The only other difference was that on most of the sprayed trees the foliage was thinner, indicating injury caused by the applications. There were scales on the older leaves of almost all the trees, and large, plump scales on most of the new growth, both sprayed and unsprayed. As between the treated trees, the foliage on group 200 to 249 (Potassium, sulphide and lime) was a little thinner than normal, a little ragged, and somewhat mottled. The foliage on group 250 to 301 (Sodium sulphite and lime) was a little ragged, but otherwise nearly normal. The foliage on group 302 to 355 (“Con-Sol” .1 to 50) was somewhat mottled and showed a little scalding. The foliage on group 356 to 376 (lime, soda and sul- phur) was a little thin and ragged, but hardly apparent. The foliage on group 377 to 390 (“Con-Sol”, 1 to 40) was well mottled and more ragged than on any of the other groups. In the order of apparent effectiveness as against the scale, the materials ranked: Lime, Sulphur and Caustic Soda; Potassium Sulphide and Lime, with little to choose between them; ‘Con. Sol”, 1 to 50; “Con. Sol”, 1 to 40; Sulphide of Soda and Lime. That the “Con. Sol.’’, 1 to 40, was apparently less effective than the weaker mixture may be due, in part to the fact that the treat- ment was made later, when the trees were more infested. August 16th, trees 250 to 301 (Sulphide of Soda and Lime) were sprayed with “Con. Sol.”, 1 to 40, as were the test trees 3, 9g, 12 and 13. Trees 391 to 463 were sprayed for the first time with the same combination. September Ist, the following instructions were prepared: 1. Examine the trees as on the previous visit, to determine the relative effectiveness of the mixtures used. 2. Determine what trees need re-spraying and spray with the “Gon. Sol.,” 1 to 40. 3. Examine the trees sprayed at the last visit and note the effect of the work on the insects and on the trees. 4. Are there any trees that could be safely allowed to go into the winter without further treatment? The replies are as follows: 1. The mixtures rank in effectiveness: 1, Potassium sulphide and lime; 2, “Con. Sol.,” 1 to 50; 3, and nearly equal to 2, lime, sulphur and caustic soda; 4, sulphite of soda and lime; resprayed with “Con, Sol.,” 1 to 40; 594 NEW JERSEY STATE AGRICULTURAL. 5, “Con. Sol,” 1 to 40; 6, remainder of orchard, sprayed August 16th with “Con. Sol.” 1 to 40, is much the worst of the lot. 2. Everything really needs respraying and all the trees except those sprayed August 16th were actually re-sprayed with the “Con. Sol,’ 1 to 40. In all 164 trees were sprayed and 175 gallons of the mixture were used. 3. Trees 391 to 463, first sprayed at last visit, have the foliage mottled and show quite a little burning. There were a few dead scales on the trees; but heaps of living ones. There is a general and heavy scattering of white sets and crawling larvae—more of the latter than of the former. Trees 250 to 301, re-sprayed August 16th, have the foliage very distinctly mottled and somewhat scalded. There were a great many dead scales on the trees; but also plenty of living ones. There is a general and rather dense scattering of larvae and recent sets. 4. The cleanest trees in the orchard are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 and group 200 to 249 (potassium sulphide); but if the scales now on the trees are allowed to continue the trees are sure to be well infested. Matters were left then, until I saw the orchard October 2nd, and of a surety it was a case for prompt action if the trees were to be saved. There were differences, of course, 2nd some groups of trees were not so bad as others; but all were so bad that unless ithe trees could be relieved from the burden of insects then infest- ing them, they would probably never put out again. I do not wish to suggest that no good had been accomplished by the appli- cations made. On the contrary, I doubt whether any tree would have been alive without them. Only it demonstrated clearly that so far as peach is concerned, the lime and sulphur combinations are not to be relied upon for summer work. I had a small supply of “Kill-O-Scale,” a petroleum prepara- tion elsewhere referred to, and that I sent up at once and had it applied 1 to 20, October 11 and 13th. The record of the trees then sprayed is missing if one was ever made; but the report October 21st is clear. “Although there are millions of dead scales on these trees there are still quite a good many living females and under a good part of-these are newly born larve. There is also a very thin scatter- ing of white sets and more or less dead ones. There are not many crawling larve on the trees and judging from the number under the females there probably were many more which have been washed off by the rain. Fully half and may be more of the older sets are dead; and the foliage:is a little mottled. There is no difference between those sprayed onthe 11th and those sprayed on the 13th.” October 24th, P. M. “There are stili a few live females with larve under them on these trees. There are also a few older sets; Oe a ee EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 595 but it seems that a larger proportion of them are dead than I thought when I examined them on the 21st. There are no crawl- ing larve or live white sets.” October 22nd, with a new supply of material, another spraying was made with “Kill-O-Scale”, 1 part, to water 20 parts, and 106 gallons of mixture were applied to 134 trees, representing practi- cally all those trees that were in such condition as to be worth the saving. -At this time Mr. Marsh eliminated all those trees that were so badly injured as to be practically worthless, or which would have to be cut back to the branches to make a new growth. Only those were retained which were yet sound enough to mature the fruit set indicated by the developing buds. Of the lot sprayed October 11th, fourteen trees were left as a check to determine whether two sprayings would be more effective than one, and whether any injury would develope on fruit buds. In view of the spreading quality of the material and the fine mist in which it was applied, it will be seen that the treatment amounted to a drench. October 31st, the final examination was made and Harold O. Marsh reports: “There are practically no live scales on these trees except for an occasional adult or older set. One of the adults had newly born larve beneath it. The trees have a darker appearance than those unsprayed and some of the branches are gray with dead scales. A very few, if any at all, of the fruit buds are injured. ‘There are quite a few more live scales on the 14 check trees in the last two rows, which were not resprayed with “TZi}]-O-Scale’, than on those which were resprayed. The fruit buds are the same as on those resprayed.’”* It may be noted here that all scales that begin breeding in fall, die during that same fall and no females that once begin to repro- duce, survive the winter. That accounts for these occasional late females that continue to bear young long after there is any chance for the latter to reach the hibernating condition. Those young that are born after the sap ceases to circulate and the foliage drops, never reach a stage that will enable them to resist the win- ter. The larvee noted on the 31st of October have absolutely no chance of surviving. Those that do survive are of the lot that set during the latter part of September or even a little before, reach the half grown stage and then, covered by a dense black scale, become dormant. Taking up in somewhat greater detail the individual experi- ments, I have already reported on the simple solutions of Pot- assium sulphide, and Sodium sulphite, and the results have shown *In April 1995 scarcely a live scale could ‘be found and not a fruit bud had been harmed. 596 NEW JERSEY STATE AGRICULTURAL. that the applications of the former were very effective while those of the latter were ineffective. The addition of lime changed re- sults somewhat. E}XPERIMENT 3—Potassium sulphide 1 pound; lime, 5 pounds; water, 5 gallons; prepared as already written (p. 588). June 18th, sprayed trees 6, 7 and 8, Reeves Favorite, 6 being covered throughout, while 7 and 8 were sprayed so as to avoid hitting foliage more than absolutely necessary, while reaching aH of last year’s and older wood. ‘The trees were all badly infested, scale ready to reproduce, but no young actually on the move. The material combined readily. was yellowish in color when applied, and left an almost white coating on the tree when dry. June 1oth and 2oth, the trees appeared as if coated with whitewash, and it seemed as if the lime was in excess for best results. ‘There was no appearance of injury to foliage; but the material seemed to exercise a drying-out effect. July 3rd, a part of the lime coating had been washed away; there was a little defoliation and the scale covering was very dry, partly uplifted, exposing the generally dark and watery-looking insects beneath. ‘There were very few ijarve or recent sets; but more on trees 7 and 8 than on 6; probably due to the difference in the methods of application. July 16th, the trees were much alike as to scale infestation, all with a general scattering of larvae and recent sets and a sprinkling of older specimens. On tree 6 the foliage was a little ragged, evidently as the result of the treatment, while on the others there was no appearance of harm. On the 30th, there was little change in condition of either tree or scales. August 13th there appeared to be a decided improvement in scale conditions. There were very few larve or recent sets, while of the earlier settings by far the larger part was dead and dry. But this seemed to mark the limit of effectiveness because, from that point the scale took a new start and, on September 6th, larve and new sets were so abundant that the trees were re-sprayed with the “Con. Sol.”, 1 part, to water 40 parts, and became part of the general orchard. In its beneficial effect this was about equal to the simple solu- tion of Potassium sulphide, the addition of the lime serving to prevent.injury to foliage. ExPERIMENT 8—Potassium sulphide, 1 pound; lime, 2 pounds; water, 5 gallons; prepared as: before. The difference between this and the previous mixture is in the amount of lime. It was applied July 1st, by Messrs. Marsh and Dickerson, to trees 200 to 249 inclusive, taking in all the varieties in the orchard. At that By Me Ets. ee ARS : i} aa 8 FIG. 11 Effect of potassium sulphide without lime, 1 lb. in 3 gallons of water ; Marsh orchard. From an original photo. - » Pa 30s EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 597 time larvee were active on all trees, plenty of recent sets were in evidence and there was already, quite an appearance of half grown black individuals. The exact amounts were as follows: “Used 14 pounds of lime, 7 pounds of Potassium sulphide, and 35 gallons of water. Slacked the lime in 4 or 5 gallons of water, then while still warm added the sulphide dissolved in 2 gallons of water. This mixed well and nearly all the lime was taken up; but there was a slight settling and the mixture gave a dark orange red color.” The trees at first sprayed—8 in number—dried out white, perhaps because the excess of lime settled rapidly ; most of the others dried out to a bluish tint. July 5th, all the trees showed some injury to foliage; but in a general way the less lime was apparent, the greater was the burning effect; in no case was it very bad, however. July 16th the record for these trees was very good. Only a few trees showed any larve or-recent sets; dead adults with dead larve beneath them were numerous, and in a general way it ap- peared as if there had been a killing off that was almost com- plete. On all varieties the foliage had been somewhat scalded and some leaves had dropped ; but in no case was the tree injured, nor had there been any unfavorabie effect on the fruit. July 30th the record was still good; but active larve and recent sets were now found in small numbers, on all the trees: evidently the sur- vivors of the first brood were beginning to reproduce. August 13th while there had been: some increase in the scale, the trees were among the best in the orchard and the application was ranked in effectiveness next to the lime, sulphur and caustic soda, with little to choose between them. ‘The foliage, at that time was noted as being a little thinner than normal, a little ragged and somewhat mottled, but otherwise natural. September 2nd, this series was first in order of condition, though much worse than at the previous examination. Accord- ing to the reports there were quite a number of breeding adults; many large plump specimens on the new growth and at the bases of the leaves, and some of these were reproducing or were ready todoso. There was also a general, though rather thin scattering of white sets and active larve. Altogether matters were not con- sidered satisfactory and, on September 6th, all these trees were sprayed with the “Con. Sol’, 1 part, to water 40 parts, and the experiment was closed. Taking all these applications of Potassium sulphide together, the conclusion is that the mixture last used can be effectively employed on peach trees in summer, with little danger of injury to the foliage or fruit, and good effect as against the scale. The 598 NEW JERSEY STATE AGRICULTURAL . best period for the application is when the first brood is in full swing and the trees are covered with larve and recent sets. The indication is, further, that well advanced young under black scales are little affected and will begin to reproduce when little or none of the material remains on the tree. In early September re-infest- ation will be well under way, and a second application will be necessary so this had better be deferred to the 20th or thereabouts for a maximum effect. The cost of the sulphide is 25 cents per pound, making 5. gallons of mixture; a cost for materials, inelud- _ ing lime of about 6 cents per gallon. At the rate of 1 gallon per tree, which is fair for trees five or six years old and normal form, two applications will cost 12 cents per tree, exclusive of labor. At the end of the season there will be scales enough remaining to re-infest and make identical treatment necessary the year fol- lowing. EXPERIMENT 5—Sulphite of soda,,1 pound; lime, 5 pounds; water, 5 gallons; made up as directed, and applied June 18th to tree 12, a Reeves Favorite peach. This was to test the effect on the foliage and, after it dried the tree had a dirty, somewhat orange white appearance. June 20th, the whole tree was thor- oughly coated with the material and none of the leaves showed any trace of injury. Trees 17 and 18 were therefore treated as before, and thoroughly coated. When examined July 3rd, the trees, including foliage, were still coated and apparently unin- jured. There were plenty of active larve and recent sets on all the trees; but, for some reason fewer on tree 17 than on either of the others. July 18th conditions had not changed much either way, except that there were a few more recent sets and some of the earlier sets had attained the nearly grown black stage. This was also the report on the 30th of that month, the scale seeming to be almost dormant. August 13th the conditions had changed and there was a full set of scales from the first brood, ready to reproduce. ‘ree 12, indeed, was in such condition that it was deemed best to re-spray, August 16th, with the “Con. Sol.”, 1 part, to water 4o parts. Trees 17 and 18 were allowed to stand until September 2nd, when they received a treatment of the same kind and this experiment ended. EXPERIMENT 9—Sodium sulphite, 1 pound; lime, 2 pounds; water 5 gallons; prepared as directed and applied July Ist and 2nd, to trees 250 to 301 inclusive. The materials combined well, but there was a little settling, leaving a cloudy, watery solution on top, which became limey on stirring. When dry the trees had a EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. _ 599 dirty white appearance with a slight orange tinge. A very slight burning was noted on some foliage July 5th. The report on July 16th was good on the whole, indicating a wholesale killing of scale, with a decided remnant of black sets of the first brood. > 641 covered with scale as any I ever saw, and do He iook at all thrifty, but are dark and sickly looking. Mr. is pre- paring to have the trees taken out and destroy a as he con- siders it a waste of time and money to spray with caustic soda and he does not think they are w orth experimenting on with other spray mixtures.” A somewhat similar case occurred at Greenwich, where a small orchard of plum trees were very thoroughly treated in March, with 98 per cent. soda, at the rate of 1 pound in 5 gal- lons. Writing to me on June 6th, the owner believed the scale “to be dried up and killed,” while his trees were making an ex- cellent growth. July 7th, I saw the trees after the insects had begun to breed, and there was a different tale to tell. Quite a number of trees looked as if a considerable quantity of scale might have been destroyed, yet in nearly all cases the larve simply swarmed and recent sets were abundant. On some trees it seemed almost impossible that any scales had heen killed. On a few there seems to have been a distinct check; but there is no way of determining whether or not it is due to the soda. Most of the trees were heavily loaded with fruit; but a few were almost bare. This was charged to the soda and, as the trouble was confined to Red June, unsprayed trees of which had a fair set, the charge may be well founded. There is certainly nothing in this orchard to favor the soda as a scale remedy. On an orchard at ““Bacon’s Neck” the same owner had a good sized peach orchard—one of the finest in the State. In that orchard some half a dozen trees, badly, infested by the scale, were discovered last year, and most of them severely cut back. The entire orchard of over 600 trees was sprayed at once with the caustic soda, 1 pound to 5 gallons of water, just as the trees were about to start. The infested trees were sprayed every time the wagon passed that way, the first application being in all cases the most thorough. In all cases the application seemed to have been an almost complete success. No injury had been caused to fruit buds and trees by any of the applications. It will hardly serve any good purpose to multiply instances of failures observed in my trips through the State or communicated by growers. In general it may be said that the results were not sufficient to check the development of the scales to any ap- preciable extent. There may have been, and undoubtdly were, many insects killed; but on the other hand not encugh to pre- vent a complete reinfestation by midsummer. 642 NEW JERSEY STATE, AGRICULTURAL It was with some surprise therefore, that I heard several farmers speak of having obtained good results from their ap- plications at: the Somerville meeting of the Somerset County Board of Agriculture, October 15th. Both apple and peach trees had been treated, and while the scale had not been cleaned out, seemed to have been materially reduced in numbers. That locality had nothing to do with it, is proved by the fact that one of the most complete failures of the soda occurred not far from the meeting place, in an orchard of mixed apple and pear, where in early September every tree was almost literally plastered with scale after an early spring treatment with the soda. In any case I cannot recommend the material as offering any reasonable prospect of producing good results. SALIMENE. Salimene is a grayish or bluish white powder, apparently a mixture of some lime compound, which was advertised very positively as a scale destroyer. It is manufactured by a Mon- mouth county corporation, which very courteously sent me a supply to be tested. Most of thesmaterial-was used with results that could not be accepted as a test of the real value, because of neglect on the part of the experimenter; but on six of my own trees I made the application and noted results myself. All the applications were made April 5th, on the afternoon of a bright, warm spring day, when the trees were dry, and just before the buds began to swell out. The proportion was I pound in 1 gallon of water, and for convenience, warm water was used. It was first mixed into a paste, then stirred into the pail, from which it was transferred to the sprayer. !t remained in suspension very well and was readily applied. When dry there was a whitish green deposit, something like that of the Bordeaux mixture. In each case the Vermorel nozzle was used and the application was thorough. The trees treated were: Pear—Japan Golden Russet, 2; Vermont Beauty, 3 Peach—Greensborough, 1. The Japan pears were not much infested in the first place and should have formed excellent subjects for the action of the insecticide; yet on June 27th, when an examination was made, a EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 643 larvee and recent sets were seen. ‘They were not very abundant, for these trees never become very badly infested; but they were plentiful enough to make it desirable in one case to spray with another material July 13th. In the other, an application of caustic soda on June 18th added something to the effect, and re-spraying was not necessary until late in the season. The Vermont Beauty pears were worse infested, and on all the treated trees. larvee were already setting on the fruit June 28th, just after breeding began. There was not even that check to the early brood that usually carries a treated tree into mid- summer before re-infestation becomes generally noticeable. The peach was not badly infested and had received a dose of caustic soda solution before it was treated with Salimene; never- theless, larvee and fresh sets appeared quite as early as they did anywhere else. Altogether, while the material has not had as extended a test as I intended to give, the results obtained were unsatisfactory throughout and not sufficient to warrant further trials or favor- able recommendations. UNIVERSAL INSECTICIDE AND SCALE KILLER. This material, manufactured by a company bearing the same name as its product, and located at Flemington, New Jersey, was brought to my attention during the late summer of 1903, by inquiries from persons who had either bought or intended to buy it. As the company was devoloping quite a trade in Hun- terdon county despite the high cost of its material, it was deemed best to give it a careful test. At my request, the company sent me for trial 2 ten-gallon can, and also the approximate formula. The liquid, when re- ceived, had the appearance of the solution that forms in the lime, salt and sulphur wash when the lime settles to the bottom. There was very little sediment even after long standing and no formation of sulphur crystals. There was an odor cf ammonia and some other disinfectant and, avowedly, the material was a lime and sulphur combination, with additions supposed to en- hance its effectiveness. The directions were simple: Add 5 or 6 gallons of hot water to each barrel, and spray. To my to gallons I added 1 gallon of boiling hot water, and the 11 gallons were applied, March 1oth, to thirteen trees, some of them requiring only a pint to cover, others 134 to 2 gallons. In each case the application was 644 NEW JERSEY STATE AGRICULTURAL as thorough as I could make it, and when dried, the trees had a bluish white appearance. In order to make the test as fair as possible, a variety of trees was selected, all of them infested by the pernicious scale and some of them badly infested. The trees were as follows: Plum—Mariana, 1. Prune—German, 1. Peach—Champion, 1; Greensborough, 1; Trellised European, 1; Elberta, 1; Mountain Rose, 1. Apple—Yellow Transparent, 1; Grimes Golden, 2; Gravenstein, 1; Bald- win, 1. ' Pear—Japan Golden Russet, 1. > Details of the applications, all of which were in the Experi- ment Orchard, and were made by me or under my personal supervision, are in the Records of the Orchard, printed else- where in this report. 3riefly stated here, the results were totally unsatisfactory. In not a single instance was a tree so far cleaned as to preserve it for the season, and in every instance where the tree was at all badly infested, the first brood developed in such numbers that immediate treatment was demanded. It is perhaps too much to say that the mixture did not kill any of the scales; but it certainly did not kill more than a very small percentage. Based on my own experience, better results can be obtained with materials costing only one-fourth as much; hence, any use of the Universal Insecticide and Scale Killer as against the pernicious scale, is a mere waste of money. PETROLEUM PREPARATIONS. Petroleums, crude or in the refined forms, have maintained themselves as scale killers during the past season, though there was less oil used than during the years last preceding because of the general rush to the lime-sulphur compounds as safer and equally effective. There is, unfortunately, no doubt that the mineral oils are dangerous to plant life and that all the factors that constitute this danger are not yet understood. Some few growers have learned to used them with confidence, to the benefit of the trees and the discomfiture of the scale; but they are in tie minority, and most men in using the undiluted oil, stand at least an even chance of causing injury. To obviate this trouble and to reduce the oils, emulsions with soap and’ mechanical. mixtures, have a EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 645 been proposed and used with greater or less success. The kerosene emulsion with milk and soap, first prepared in the course of the work of the Entomological Division of the United States Department of Agriculture, is of course well known, and has been widely and successfully used. But there was the work of preparation, and the fact that, without soft water, it was difficult: to get any emulsion at all. The farmer or fruit grower does net ordinarily like to make complicated mixtures, or those requiring any special apparatus for preparation. Hence, the kerosene emulsion was never given the wide use that its merits deserve. Used as a winter wash as against the pernicious scale, it developed that, when used in a dilution containing 15 to 20 per cent. of kerosene it was much more injurious tc trees than even undiluted kerosene; hence, its application to this purpose was never urged. More recently, especially througi the efforts and experiments of Dr. Howard E.. Weed, now of New Hamp- shire, the idea of a mechanical mixture of kerosene and water was developed, and after many experiments, pumps sc arranged as to spray kerosene or other*oils*and water in definite prepor- tions were put upon the market by a number of manufacturers. These pumps were intended to bring to the nozzle oil and water in uniform proportions, the globules of oil and water so mingled as they emerged from the nozzle that the effect would be that of a very thin, evenly distributed coating of oil, which would be sufficient to kill insects, yet not enough to injure vegetation. This gave the oil a much more extended field, and a large num- ber of emulsion pumps, knapsack, barrel and tripod, were soon in general use. As a whole the results were good; but even the best of the pumps proved erratic in action sooner or later. Of two pumps of the same make one would work beautifully when received; the other would be unreliable from the start; or an obstruction to one pump or valve would result in an application of all water or all oil, or a percentage different from that in- tended, and the consequences would be either injury to the tree or lack of ‘effect: agaist. the insects. Nevertheless, much good was accomplished with combination or emulsion sprays, contain- ing 20 to 25 per cent. of kerosene, and these were usually safe upon trees and shrubs of all kinds. But the necessity for a special pump, even if it could be disconnected so as to be used for a simple mixture was a drawback, and there was real de- mand for some method of using the oil without all the bother of either an emulsion or special pump. When the question of dealing with mosquito larvie arose one 646 NEW JERSEY STATE AGRICULTURAL. of the investigators demanded an oil that would be soluble in water and would diffuse through it, so as to reach larve every- where, even if they retreated to the bottom. This set chemists at work and there were, in a short time several preparations, all of them purporting to be crude oil, rendered soluble in water. The most complex of these—taking the manufacturer’s word for its combination—is Kill-O-Scale, which is elsewhere dealt with. I have, besides, three other samples, two of them based on the heavy Texas oil; one of them ‘ftom, the Ohio fields, with a vaseline base. All of these dissolve in* or combine readily with water, forming a milky emulsion. One of them only has been actually tested in the Experiment Orchard, in a very lim- ited way. All of them offer fair chances for success as against the scale insects without harm to the trees. The advantage of crude oil as a scale killer over all other insecticides is its penetrating power, combined with lasting qual- ities. If this can be held in a preparation that will mix readily and evenly with water, whether we call it an emulsion or a solu- tion, it will simplify our battle against the insect and encourage a more general fight. Many men will not try to clean their trees simply because of the caustic character of the mixtures most generally recommended. With a soluble oil, obtainable in any desired quantities, ready for a simple mixture with water, ef- fective against insects and safe on plants, the temptation would be to at least try to clean trees and other infested plants. Up to this point I have used the soluble oils only as summer mixtures and as such they have approved themselves. Whether they will act equally well at the same dilution against the dor- mant scales, remains to be proved. KILL-O-SCALE. This is a combination put upon the market by the Griffith & Turner Company of Baltimore, Maryland, concerning which they wrote me early in September, suggesting a trial. In answer to my request for its composition and character, they advised me that it was a combination of heavy kerosene, sulphurated oil and resin, made soluble in water “‘by a process known only to the manufacturers.” They advised me of forwarding a gallon for trial, and suggested that it be used, in part at the rate of I to 20, and the remainder 1 to 25, of water. ‘They further wrote con- cerning it, ‘that Kill-O-Scale is not a summer applicaticn; it. is a dormant spray, but can be used after the fruit is taken EE EXPERIMENT STATIGN REPORT. 647 from the trees up until blossoming time in the spring. If used in hot weather it will defoliate the trees, and we do not recom- mend it for summer work.” After a preliminary test I ordered 10 gallons of the material sent to the Marsh orchard, retaining the sample for use in the Experiment Orchard. The price of the material is $1.25 per gallon, which when diluted by 20 parts of water, will bring the cost of 1 gallon of diluted mixtures to 61%4 cents per gallon, exclusive of the cost of transportation and application. The percentage of actual oil in the material when diluted was so low that I decided to make use of it at the rate of 1 to 20 of water, in an attempt to control the late fall development of the scale. | a Applications were made under my direct supervision in the Experiment Orchard, and at my direction in the Marsh orchards, by Harold O. Marsh. In each case the applications were made in October, and on trees that had been ineffectively treated with other materials during the summer. In the Marsh orchard peach trees only were treated; in the Experiment Orchard, plum, apple, pear and peach, 14 trees. In all cases there was a more or less obvious mottling, discoloring or scalding of the foliage; but that did not, in any instance, amount to a material injury to the tree. In every case the effect upon the scale was marked. Larve and recent sets were wiped out of existence at once, wherever the material reached them. Breeding adults were killed in most cases; but apparently adults that were ready to reproduce but had not yet begun, escaped in many cases. So, it is probable that some of the half grown black scales were suf- ficiently resistant to protect the insects beneath them. Unlike the other materials used, this exerts a continuous action for some time, the resin perhaps holding it in contact with the insects and giving opportunity to penetrate. The time during which the material has been kept under ob- servation is not sufficiently long to authorize a final determina- tion; but certainly we have’ come nearer to a preparation of petroleum which may be diluted with water, and it offers the best chance of a satisfactory effect of any of the preparations now on the market—though at a somewhat unreascnably high cost. PYROL TREE AND PLANT SPRAY. This is in the nature of a pine tar preparation, manufactured 648 NEW JERSEY STATE AGRICULTURAL by the Southern Oil and Chemical Company, Mobile, Alabama. Added to water it forms milky emulsion, fragrant in odor, _and leaves when drying, a thin, sticky residue. There was only a small amount of material supplied, and it was used at the rate of one part of Pyrol to 40 parts of water, although 1 part to 50 was recommended. Application was made June 30th, through a “Mistry” nozzle, and the trees were thoroughly covered. Unfortunately, within two hours there- after, it began to rain and was showery throughout the night. It is more than probable, therefore, that the material was washed away in great part, and did not produce as good an effect as it might have done otherwise. Lack of material prevented my duplicating the experiments. Six trees were treated: Mariana Plum. With many recently set scales and active larve. The application was imperfect in that the tree was sprayed from one side only; but from that one side the applica- tion was thorough. July Sth, the foliage appeared to be some- what scalded in the center; but no apparent effect upon the scale could be discerned. Apple. Gravenstein, 1; Yellow Transparent, 1; Baldwin, 1. All of these were pretty well peppered by developing young and recent sets—ideal conditions for a material of this kind— and all were thoroughly treated. A week later conditions had not improved, but were on the contrary, much worse; the ma- terial had been absolutely ineffective.. 3. Pear. Vermont Beauty, 2. Were in the same condition as the apples, were treated as thoroughly and the result was identical; the scale was in no way reduced. No sort of injury was caused to the foliage of either apple or pear. HORTICULTURAL COMPOUND. This is a soap mixture, originally manufactured at Port Mon- mouth, New Jersey, and intended for general insecticide work; more especially as against plant lice and the like. It has the appearance of a resin soap, containing alsd tobacco as-an ac- cessory, and in texture is like a hard butter. It dissolves quite readily in warm water. All applications were made through a Vermorel nozzle, at the rate of 2 ounces in 1 gallon of water, or double the strength recommended on the circular received with the material. July sth, sprayed my entire row of grapes, about 75 feet in length, to test against the leaf hoppers, which were very abundant EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 649 in all stages, from the minute young to the adult. ‘The applica- tion was very thorough, made so as to hit the underside of the foliage, and extended beyond the vine limits to hit the flying specimens. ‘Iwo days later the number of leaf hoppers had been very decidedly reduced. There were still a considerable number of adults and partly grown individuals, but not nearly so many as there were when the spraying was made. A distinct coating was left on the underside of many of the leaves, making them look discolored; but as a matter of fact there was no real injury of any kind to the foliage. The application may be considered as rather a satisfactory one and would have been duplicated had it not been desired to test another material on the same class of insects. On July 5th, sprayed experiment trees 18, 19 and 21, all Ver- mont Beauty pears, on which larve and recent sets were moving in considerable numbers and spotting the fruit. Five gallons were put on these trees, making the application a regular drench. Two days later no moving larve were found on the sprayed trees and many of the recent sets had collapsed; but the older sets seemed to have escaped injury very largely. On tree 18, the scales recovered so fast that it was necessary to re-spray August 19th, and again August 29th, with the same material, and on September 16th, a soluble crude petroleum was applied, closing the career of the compound on this tree. Tree 19 was not resprayed with the compound until August 29th, but the effect here was also so unsatisfactory that the soluble petroleum was resorted to September 16th. Tree 21 had the same history as tree 19. July 8th, sprayed experiment trees 1, 2, 7, 8, 15, 20, 23, 24, 26, 30, 31 and 38. Tree 1. Mariana Plum. Had been previously treated with a winter wash and with the Pyrol spray; but was again in need of attention. ‘his application produced very temporary re- sults and others were made of the same strength, August 19th and 29th, resulting only in checking development until October, when Kill-O-Scale was substituted. Tree 2. Yellow Transparent Apple. Had been previously treated with a winter wash and with Pyrol tree spray; but again needed attention. ‘The further history as to re-spraying is as for No. 1, except that it became necessary to substitute petro- leum as early as September 21. Tree 7. Champion Peach. Had been previously treated with a winter wash, which had not been effective. This application 650 NEW JERSEY STATE AGRICULTURAL lasted only until August roth, when a second and, August 29th, when a third application was made, These lasted until October igth, when a petroleum spray was considered essential for the tree. Tree 8. Grimes Golden Apple. Had been winter treated, but was then infested by larvee and recent sets. The check produced was sufficient to carry the tree safely to October 14th, when it received a petroleum treatment. Tree 15. Japan Golden Russet Pear. ‘Had been winter treated, but was then infested with larvee and new sets. The application reduced the insects to so low a point that no further treatment was'deemed-necessary that season. Tree 20. Meech Quince. Had not been previously treated and was only a little infested. The application was sufficient to keep the tree in good condition during the rest of the sum- mer, but left it pretty well infested in November. Tree 23. Greensborough Peach. Had been winter sprayed and was only moderately infested by larvee and recent sets. So many survived the application that respraying was necessary August 29th, and that carried the tree until October toth, when it needed, and received an application of Kill-O-Scale. Tree 24. Greensborough Peach. Had no winter or other previous treatment and the infestation was not yet bad. Almost no good resulted, and on August 19th was resprayed, in much worse condition than the month before. August 29th, received the third application, and yet needed and. received a petroleum spray September 26th. Tree 26. Nectarine. Had received a caustic soda applica- tion, but was then generally infested with larvee and fresh sets. This checked the scale until August 29th, when it was again abundant enough to require a treatment which lasted until Sep- tember 26th, when a petroleum application was made. Tree 30. Grimes Golden, Pippin. Hadi been ineffectively winter treated and had received a Pyrol treatment June 30th. Was yet infested sufficiently to demand another application, and that lasted until August 19th, when a new application was made, though not really necessary. ‘Ten days later, however, it needed the third spraying, received at that time, and that carried the tree to October 14th, when it was worse than any time before in the season and received an application of Kill-O-Scaie. Tree 31. German Prune. Had received a winter application and was not very badly infested; the treatment was sufficient to EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 651 carry it to the end of the season, though in quite a scaly condi- tion. Tree 38. Baldwin Apple. Wad been ineffectively sprayed in March, and on June 30th with the Pyrol spray, which yet left a very heavy lot of larvee and recent sets. ‘The check was sat- isfactory until August roth, and the spraying at that time lasted until the 29th, w fen the third application was made. Infesta- tion increased thereafter until, October 14th, the tree was treated with Kill-O-Scale. August 19th, trees/1, 2, 7,18, 24, 30 and 38 were sprayed as before. All of these were resprayings, more or less urgently needed. Rain rendered this appeanoy of little effect, and on August 29th, sprayed trees 1, 2, 7, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 30 and 38. All of these were also re-sprayings. In all 15 trees had been treated, 3 of them once only; 4 of them twice, and the others three times, always with the mixture of the same strength. In each case there was a temporary check, the larve and recent sets being killed; but always the older scales were left alive and in a week or two matters were nearly as bad as before. A stronger mixture than that used would be likely to hurt foliage and could not be advised; in all, while this horticultural compound is a tolerably good insecticide and would probably be entirely satisfactory against plant lice, it cannot be recommended as against the San Jose, or pernicious scale. ROSE-LEAF TOBACCO EXTRACT. This preparation is my usual reliance in dealing with such plant lice as appear on roses and other usual garden plants, and I am not particular as to the exact proportions used—getting enough to make a strong tobacco water in all cases. This past season I: determined to test)it as against: leaf-hoppers and scale larvee. July 13th, sprayed my row of grape vines, about 75 feet long, with the extract at the rate of 1 pound in 5 gallons of water. The vines were infested by the common grape leaf-hopper and had been already sprayed with the Horticultural Compound, July 5th, with very good effect. There were, however, many of the insects yet remaining, and as my neighbor’s vines are much worse infested than my own, I believe part of the supply then on hand came from him. ‘The spraying was done with an aajust- able nozzle, so as to hit the underside of the foliage, and the 652 NEW. JERSEY STATE. AGRICULTURAL spray under considerable pressure, was forced around the vines so as to fill the air and hit the insects attempting to fly away. The result was excellent, and while leaf-hoppers were present during the remainder of the season in small numbers, they were not plentiful enough to seriously affect the foliage, which re- mained on longer and in better condition than ever before in my experience. None of the leaves turned. completely rusty and dry before maturity, and the amount of benefit derived was easily observable by comparison with other nearby vines. On the same day sprayed also 1 Japan Golden Russet pear, 1 Lawrence pear, I Gravenstein apple and 1 Baldwin apple. The results were unsatisfactory and inconclusive. Examinations were not made until several days after the spraying and at that time matters were in much the condition they were when the work was done. It appeared probable that most of the moving larve and some of the recent sets had been destroyed: but there certainly had been no effect upon the number of older forms nor upon the breeders. A simple tobacco mixture is evidently not sufficiently active to reach these scale insects in any but the naked stage. Mate Ponta 1 Lys 4 il SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES ii asia Be ene ~ f ee ? ‘ x ' < % z an >