The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1893-07-13
raE wooLLr, ICE OF THE APPLE.
A Paper OF Material Interest to No.
vada Farmers.
Newspaper Bulletin No. g.

Newspaper Bulletin No. g.
DIAGNOSIS. Apple trees infested by
woolly Bodied lice about the scars of
amputated limbs. along the sides of the
smaller twigs. and at the axis of leaves;
the white hocculsnt 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 nun.
erous. The dry climate Of Nevada is
exceedingly favorable to their rapid
multiplication aud 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 colonies have been founded by a
few individuals which have survived the
winter, protected by the roughness OF
the bark caused by their own activity the
preceding year. As the season advances
these colonies become larger. Individu.
ais separate from their companions aud
establish new colonies, until at this time
1t is an easy matter to find single branches
OF an apple tree supportipga vast number
OF these pests. As the greater number Of
those to be found at this date are wing
less their dissemination would appear to
DO limited; however. later in the season
there appear many individuals provided
with wings. Through these the rapidity
OF dissemination is greatly increased.
The injury produced by these insects
lies In their strength Of numbers. The
myriads Of them, each dustriou.ly
withdrawing the trees sap, serve to re.
duce the trees vitality very materially.
They seek the tenderest parts aud hence
growing twiRs are dwarfed and old
wounds are kept open. A young apple
twig before me is furrowed by deep
scar extending q distance of several
inches and including the greater part Of
the circumference. In its struggle for
existence barely enough nourishing SAP
mas run the gauntlet Of insect foes to
supply few stunted leaves and to in
crease tho length of the twig to some OK.
tsnt. These twigs never fully recover
from the effects Of such an attack. Their
early growth is checked by q reduction Of
the food supply; but worse than this,
their injured bark is unable to carry a
normal amount Of nourishment ever after
These insects cannot be eradicated
easily, 1t at all. except within restricted
limits; however, they may be kept with.
10 ths limits OF comparatively non.in.
furious numbers. The Use of whitewasb
and paint applied locally, cases of which
have come under the notice Of the writer
In different parts Of Reno, is effective 40
far as it goes, but it is not sufficiently
far reaching. A more effective course Ia
to apply some liquid that will kill the
Insects by contact, without injury to the
tree. Thus it is seen that a true poison
is not demanded. Kerosene emulsion. a
decoc'ion formed from refuse tobacco. or
strong carbolic soapsuds will DESTROY the
insects, and if applied periodically will
ehectually keep them in check. Repeat.
ed application is necessary. In short.
these pests must BE- killed and kent
killed, A force pump is absolutely
necessary in the application of these rem.
edles. The tree under treatment must
be thoroughly wettsd and by no other
means can this be accomplished.
Illustrated bulletin No. II Of this sta.
ton treats of this pest and will be sent to
any address upon application.
F. H. HILLMAN.
Agricultural Experiment Station, Reno.
Nevada. June 29th. 1898.