The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1893-07-15
THE wOOLY LICE OF THE APPLE.
A Paper of Material Interest to Nevada
Farmers.
(NewspapM Bulletin No.6.)

(NewspapM Bulletin Noe.
Diagnosis-Apple trees infested by
masses of woody bodied lice about the
scars of amputated limbs, along the
sides of the smaller twigs, and at the
axis of leaves; the white focculent
matter easily blown away by the
breath disclosing the brown bodies of
the lice.
Thus we may identify the insect
commonly known throughout the
country as the Woolly Aphis. At
this season of the year these insects
become very numerous. The dry eli
mate of Nevada is exceedingly favor
able to their rapid multiplication and
longevity. Very early in spring small
colonies of these insects may be found
in protected places on the trunk and
limbs of the apple tree. These colo
nies have been founded by a few indi-
viduals which have survived the win
ter, protected by the roughness of the
bark caused by their own activity the
preceding year. AS the season ad-
vances these colonies become larger.
individuals separate from their COM
panions and establish new colonies,
until at this time it is an easy matter
to find single branches of an apple
tree supporting a vast number of these
pests. AS the greater number of those
to be found at this date are wingless
their dissemination would appear to be
limited; however, later in the season
there appear many individuals provid-
ed with wings. Through these the
rapidity of dissemination is greatly in
creased. The injury produced by
these insects lies in their strength of
numbers. The myriads of them, each
industriously Withdrawing the trees
sap, serve to reduce the trees vitality
very materially. They seek the tend
crest parts and hence growing twigs
are dwarfed and old wounds are kept
open. A young apple twig before me
is furrowed by deep scar extending
a distance of several inches and in
Guiding the greater part of the circum-
ference. In it's struggle for existence
barely enough nourishing sap has run
the gauntlet of insect foes to supply a
few stunted leaves and to increase the
length of the twig to some extent.
These twigs never fully recover from
the effects of such an attack. Their
early growth is checked by reduc-
tion of the food supply; but worse than
this, their injured bark is unable to
carry normal amount of nourishment
ever after.
These insects cannot be eradicated
easily, if at all, except within restrict
ed limits; however, they may be kept
within the limits of comparatively
non-injurious numbers. The use of
whitewash and paint applied locally,
cases of which have come under the
notice of the writer in different parts
of Reno, is effective SO far as it goes,
but it is not sufficiently far reaching
A more effective course is to apply
some liquid that will kill the insects
by contact, without injury to the tree.
Thus it is seen that true poison is
not demanded. Kerosene emulsion,
a decoction formed from refuse to-
bacco, or strong carbolic soapsuds
will destroy the insects, and if applied
periodically will effectually keep them
in check. Repeated application is ne
cessary. In short, these pests must
be killed and kept killed. A force
pump is absolutely necessary in the ap-
plication of these remedies. The tree
under treatment must be thoroughly
wetted and by no other means can this
be accomplished.
Illustrated bullentin No. II of this
station treats of this pest and will be
sent to any address upon applica-
tion.
f. III. HILLMAN.
Agricultural Experiment Station,
Reno, Nevada, June 29th, 1898.
A telephone line, $500 miles long,
is planned in Canada to connect Hall
fax with Vancouver.