The Bug Inspector Who Called Himself a Crank — and Warned That Japanese Oranges Could Wreck Washington's Orchards

Replying to the statements of State Horticultural Commissioner Baker, the insect inspector of King County, W. H. Brown, says:

"Have read Mr. J. E. Baker's version of the infected Japanese orange controversy, wherein he states that said fruit is infected with insects which belong to citrous fruit. If I get a true conception of his meaning, they are insects that infest certain kinds of fruits which can only be grown in a tropical or semi-tropical climate, and can be of no possible injury in this climate.

"In justice to myself I wish to state that this was in no way the question that Mr. Baker was called on to decide. He conceded them to be all that I claimed them to be (pernicious), from the fact of his ordering them fumigated. I claimed that the only method by which they could be exterminated was to open the boxes, take all the wrappers off and fumigate them with crude sulphur in an air-tight room. At this Mr. Baker demurred, claiming that it was not necessary, in order to kill all insect life, either to open the boxes or take off the wrappers. This was the cause and the only cause which occasioned a disagreement.

"I soon found that Comrade Baker's sword was the supreme court, and that I was the lower court; therefore I surrendered the point by fumigating according to the instructions of said higher court. This method proving a dismal failure as far as killing the pests is concerned, and Mr. Baker being aware of this fact, tries to console the fruit growers of this great commonwealth by telling them that these insects are citrous pests and can do no harm to their fruit. In regard to this decision I am again ready to cross swords with Mr. Baker, not as to their being of citrous origin, but, as such, some have and others may become a curse to one of Washington's greatest industries. I make this statement from the fact that the San Jose scale is of semi-tropical origin, and the chaff scale, which is to be found on the oranges in question, of Oriental origin.

"Nevertheless, I hold myself in readiness to show that the same scale is in at least two yards in this city and county, where they have gained a foothold to such an extent that the lease of life given to the shrub seems not to exceed one year. The mealy bug in question, if my memory serves me right, is to be found on the cactus growing in some of the deserts of Mexico to such an extent that they are gathered for the purpose of making cochineal dye. There are two species of scale to be found on these oranges, the red and purple scale. I know something of their life history and agree with Mr. Baker that there are two species on those oranges that I never saw before. They, however, are easily classed as being of the San Jose family. It seems to me that to permit this class of insect to be scattered broadcast over this land of ours from the Orient in order to encourage our commercial relations is to my mind like turning a domiciled lion loose in order to see whether or not he had a perverted nature.

"As an American citizen, I feel like encouraging any and everything that will add to our interests, morally, socially or commercially. But I do in all candor believe that this country has been made a cesspool long enough. It is time to call a halt. In calling this halt, let us say to the world, whether it is the lower or the higher order of animal life, we want your best or we want none. I may be called a crank; if so, all right; I wish to go on record as such."