The herald., 1894-01-01

order that we may reap some benefit
from our apple and pear orchards, I'm
like most of our insect pests this one
does not injure the vitality OF the tree,
but destroys the market value OF the
product. A few years ago a great fight
was made against the Goblin moth by
trapping the larva and destroying the
chrysalis found under the rough bark OF
the trunks and brakches. This proceed
ure was not at all successful, ss enough
moths would escape to deposit eggs on
and destroy fully 80 per cent OF the
fruit. Now we 90 at them in different
way, and strike, at the very weakest
stage of their existence, that is, as soon
as they hatch from the egg and before
they burrow into the fruit.
The remedy is Paris green. one pound
to 200 gallons Of water. To be efficient
this must be properly mixed and ap-
piled. Take the Paris green and make
a paste before 1t is placed In the spray
tank. In this way it mixes better with
the water. The next important point is
to keep the water constantly stirred
when spraying, not simply an occasional
dash, but keep man or boy at 1t as
long as the work lasts. This is the only
satisfactory way to have the poison
evenly distributed. This work must be
done soon after the fruit is set and before
1t turns down. A second application
three weeks later should be given.
Enough solution should be used to each
tree to thoroughly moisten it without
running off.
If the fruit was troubled with pear
cracking or apple scab, the previous
year, fungicide should be used in COM
htr1o mi bn ~ A
good mixture il to dissolve % pounds of
sulphate of copper in 20 gallons of water:
slack 20 pounds OF lime in water and
then add this, strained. to the copper
solution. Pour into the tank and add
one pound Of paris green and sufficient
water to make 200 gallons. Keep it con-
stantly stirred, as before suggested. In
applying this nozzle having rubber
disk is preferable to brass.
Several vineyards in the valley have
been seriously damaged by the cater
pillars of the large sphinx moth, some
times called Cumming bird moths"
that are noticed toward evening hover
ing over verbenas and petunias, while
they sip the nectar from the flowers.
They are in the winged form the end Of
April and during May. and deposit their
eggs simply on the leaves. The egg ia
fastened to the leaves by glutinous
substance. and few days after they
hatch out small caterpillars with dark
hair or spine near the posterior extrem-
ity. They grow rapidly, and if not
checked soon devour sll the foliage.
When full grown they enter the loose
ground and change to ths chrysalis and
remain in this ncondition until the fol.
lowing spring. The most satisfactory
method of fighting this pest is hand
picking, or use pair OF scissors and
cut them in two. 5s
Flowing and cultivating the vineyard
during the winter with disk harrow
will destroy numbers OF the chrysalis,
if gone over several times with the lat
ter implement. friend remarked to
me the other day that he was going to
turn lot OF hogs into his vineyard, in
hopes that they would root out the
chrysalis and destroy them. 1t could
soon be ascertained whether or not the
''porkers" will be likely to assist in the
work by placing q few chrysalides with
in their reach.
The "cut-wprm" is another pest of the
vineyard ;othsy also attack prnne and
other trees. The trees can be protected
from their depredations by placing
band OF stout paper around the stem
and smesring it with printers ink in
which little castor oil has been mixed.
The oil prevents the ink from drying 30
quickly. This should be renewed at
least twice week while the worms last.
As they work at night they cannot be
handled like the sphinx-moth caterpil-
lars. During the day they burrow into
the loose soil short distance; this can
be scratched over and this worms de.
stroyed. Paris green can be used as q
spray, but can hardly be recommended
in vineyard. az laQ8
Those are the principal insects that
we have any experience with, and de-
sire to impress upon the farmers and
fruit growers the necessity of guarding
against the introduction and spread OF
new pests and plant diseases into our
valley. When you purchase trees or
plants don't be afraid that your horti-
cultural inspector, or, as the law desg-
mates him, quarantine guardian"
swoopH down on you and inspects them,
to see that they are free from pests.
Don't remove them from the depot
surrcptitiously, but inform him before
hand, and when they arrive invite him
to make thorough examination, for it
will cost less TO clean them befors than
after planting, and may save your
own and your neighbors' orchards from
ruin,