The Thrips: A Troublesome Pest
THAT is what the pear thrip is, as many orchardists have found to their sorrow in prunes and pears and other fruits. The Bureau of Entomology of the Department of Agriculture, after two years’ work in the investigation and study of the thrip and its habits, has issued a bulletin, No. 80, entitled “The Pear Thrip and Its Control.” In this bulletin the methods which have been proved efficacious in eradicating the pest, are fully set forth, with instructions as to the time when the work should be done. The treatment applies equally well to the thrips infecting the prune and other deciduous fruit-trees. The California State Board of Trade has been active in the matter from its inception, but they realize, as every one must who thinks, that the good work done by the Bureau of Entomology will be worthless unless the fruit-growers take hold of the matter energetically. Every now and then these pests appear in new places where they were not supposed to exist before. It is therefore highly important that orchardists in counties near to those where the thrips have been recognized should be watchful. And it is, too, important that the work of eradication be made as complete as possible in every section, as one infected orchard in a neighborhood will be a breeding-place for the pests and a center from which they will spread out in every direction. The California State Board of Trade has secured an ample supply of the bulletins, and will send the same promptly to any grower who makes application therefor. The secretary of the State Board of Health is Mr. A. L. McDonald, and his address is Wells-Fargo, Nevada National Bank, San Francisco, California. We feel that this appeal from the State Board of Health is important. We hope the press generally will do all in their power to stir up action regarding the matter, and that the fruit-growers will take energetic action to rid the state of this destructive insect.