Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-10-07
wooLLY ApHIs ON APPLE AND PEAR
TREES

- At the quarterly meeting of the Board Of
State Horticultural Commissioners, Presi-
dent G. 81. Dxinelle made statement of
observation and experiment upon the woolly
aphis to the following effect:
Some months ago, at a meeting of the
State Horticultural Society, called atten-
ton to the woolly sphis IS the most threat
ening enemy to apple culture on this coast.
While the codling moth thips out the fruit,
this aphis stunts or destroys the whole tree.
On the limbs it causes unsightly swellipgs
and distortions checks the growth of wood
and fruit, encourages the growth of the leaf
fungus (Fumdgo sa!iceaa}, and makes
the tree a foul and disgusting OBJ
ject. Where it attacks the roots, they
toe show excresecences and eventually
become decayed and useless. The similar
ity CT the insect to the phylloxers of the vine
suggested to me the search for resistant
stock on which to work apples, and thus rem.
der them proof against the pest In answer
to my inquiries, John Lewelling stated that
he hsd found seedlings of the Golden Russet
ard Rawie's Jennet to be free from the at
tacks Of the woolly aphis, and that in select.
Jog young stocks he found those with deep,
straight roots to be better than such as had
fbrous roots near the surfsce. He also CON.
mends placing lime and wood ashes about
the crown Of the tree as rem.
edy for the aphis. Afterwards John Rock
Of San Jose, presented to the University two
trees of a local Seeding stock which, as far
"a he had observed, was free from woolly
aphis. They were planted in an infested
orchard, and repeated attempts have been
made to colonize them by placing twigs GOV.
cred with the insects about them in the soil.
Thus far none have been observed upon them.
Ii they Withstand for another year, we shall
think that very valuable stock has been dis
covered.
SPRAY FOR TOPS.
In fighting this insect on the tops of trees.
admirable results have been obtained in the
University orchard by spraying in sum.
mer and early autumn with hot
oecoction of tobacco. One pound Of tobacco
to one gallon of water is the strength when
first made, but from one to three times as
much water is added before use. The to-
bacco used is the refuse stems and sweepings
from the San Francisco factories. To secure
efficiency the greater strength is preferred
The liquid is strained and applied by means
# Merigot force pump and bug spray. The
wire gauzn is removed from the nozzle
and the aphragm having the largest
opening ia used SO as to secure free passage
for the fluid. The nozzle is held within a
process is more a washing than a spraying
ore. The leaves are also drenched as far as
practicable. both under and upper sides. The
temperature of the liquid in the barrel from
which it ia pumped ia maintained ss nearly
practicable at 1902 Fshrenheit. This is not
very difficult to do by adding pailful hot
from the boiler occasionally. This is the
same remedy recommended by Ellwood
Cooper. of this Board. after using it with
success against the black scale of the olive
{ LecaRian1 Olcd) Trees that were langnish-
ing under myrisds Of the 8phis were V0s.ly
improved by the washing. Ths destruction
of tie aphis allowed the soap to nourish the
apples, and they increased very rapidly in
sizs.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE ROOTS.
We have not as yet had satisfactory results
in treating ths roots OF the infested trees.
Gas lime destroyed the insects, but injured
he roots badly. where drainage was imperfect,
1t may prove to &c safe on deep, well.drained
soils IN email quantitie5-say a shovelful on a
circle OF SIX feet in dismeter Experiments
ST oud ba tried cauti lusly, and at first on
tTtes of little value The effect on the in
sects and trees cannot be Jagged of until
there has been q good deal of rain or irriga
ton 10 carry the solvent arts of the gas line
dlwL through the soil. Gar ron bisuiphide is
on trial, sud may prove to be the remedy
sought when we know just how TO apply il.
DANGER AHEAD.
TIE seasons experiences has shown a won
derfnl increase in the pest in i;s old hauate,
aud its appearance in new ones. An active
campaign against it should be b. gun at once.
the owners of some OF tina Oldest and hereto.
fore moss productive apple orchards in the
State tell me that unless remedy is found
there will be no profit in apple culture in the
future. TIE Chilean Consul says that at one
time this pest swept eff the wild apple trees
in Chile. This season the pest has been OBJ
served in Alameda county on the pear Is well
as the apple. Further observations as to re-
sistsnt stocks should he made by those who
have opportunity. The winged form of the
woolly aphis will appear within the next few
weeks, and il is important that as many OF
them as possible should be destroyed before
that time. Infested trees that are not worth
fighting for should be destroyed at o1ce.
Grub them out with a. least two feet of the
roots, sLd bura than. An old stump with a
few suckers about Is viii breed enough Of it
to keep Up the stock q tbs neighborhood.
The pest is well established in many Ct our
nurseries, and the greatest care should be ex-
ercissd 70 insure ths diaiI fiction of trees
bought this winter. The roots az well as
tops should be dipped in wesk lye, one pound
of the Commercial article to one gallon of
water, or soaked in soapsuds or tobacco de-
coctiOn, sf5er cutting eff aad burning all
roots that nave been Injured b the aphis.