Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-05-24
PROMPT ATTENTION TO INSECTS
AND DISEASES OF FRUITS.

i afC iCStuibk tuC tt0to va eot's
Last season sfforded a striking illustra-
ton Of the importance Of timely xppli-
cation Of efisctusl preventives OF dis
eases and destruction cf insects attack
ing fruits. Some OF our more enterpris-
Ing fruit growers have adopted the prac-
tice Of lighting insects and fungus dis
eases every year, "a part Of regular
system Of fruit culture, without waiting
until the enemy has appeared and gained
possession. They are aware that II they
walt until the season has proved favor,-
ole for the growth OF fungi, IL will be
too late to apply preventives effectuslly.
Fungicides must be- applied before the
germs have started into growth, or they
will not destroy them.
In 1896 the apple crop was SO general
| ly abundant and so fair that it did not
seem 10 make much difference whether
trees were SPRAYED or not, all were so
fungus free. The season OF 1897 opened
so dry that many who had adopted the
practice Of spraying we're tempted to
| omit it. This appeared to be- all right
up to the month Of July, during which
We had, In Rochester, eighteen days on
which IL rxibei. and the latter part OF
the month II rsined every day. The ex-
tIaordinsry depth OF 81 inches fell In
that month. Before then but little dif-
ference could be seen in fruit on SPRAYED
trees ana those not sprayed, but the
effects Of the rain were soon visible In
many orchards. Leaves and fruit stems
became covered with fungus, which AT
rested growth and caused the fruit 10
drop half grown. Many orchards, reeu-
larly sprayed, carried moderate crops OF
fruit that sold at high prices, bringing In
TO their owners handsome incomes.
To have spraying prove OF the highest
utility, IL Is necessary To begin with both
insecticides and fungicides, with the
swelling OF the buds, and repeat the
operation three or four times during the
season. There are quite q number Of
insects that pass the winter In their pupa
Cases on the branches Of the trees near
the buds, and when few warm days Of
spring appear leave their cases and,
crawling into the swelling buds. begin
devouring the tender leaves or blossoms.
Among these early insects are the bud
worms, at least five species OF leaf-rol-
lers, crumplers, folders, tvers and sew
ers, the white-marked tussock moth, the
apple tree (or piston csse-besrer, and
these are very soon followed by the tent
caterpillar and the cankerworm. Then
come along, after the blossoms fall, the
coddling moth (the prime cause OF
wormy spples), and a succession OF
other insects through the season.
When we consider the great number
OF species Of insects that swarm upon us
every summer, determined to subsist
upon the roots, trunks, branches, bark,
leaves or fruits Of fruit trees, we marvel
that any fruit can be left to compensate
the srduous tiller Of the soil, and, In
fact, there IL but little good, sound fruit
left, unless those insects are met at the
very threshold and fought until the fruit
Ia mstured. In neighborhoods where
but little fruit Is grown the enemies are
not so numerous In proportion as where
their appropriate food Is more abundant,
but there are enough everywhere 10 do
much damage. Where insects or para
site fungi feed upon the foliage and not
upon the fruit they still do the latter a
great deal OF injury, by checking the
dow Of sap and preventing full develop
ment Of fruit. The leaves are both lungs
and stomach, hence healthy leaves are
essential to healthy fruit. The fruit
may appear fair, exteriorly, but Will
have hard, woody sections, interiorly,
especially around the core. 1t Is i'm
possible to raise perfect fruit on trees
with leaves covered with fungus or rid
died by insects.
Fortunately the fruit grower Is not
Obliged to apply separate preventive or
remedy for every species OF insect or
fungus that infest his fruits or trees.
There are two insecticides that, intel
ligently applied, will destroy nearly, or
quite, every insect that can be reached
by them Most OF the insects injurious
10 fruits take their food by biting and
chewing IL. These can be poisoned by
Paris green or some other Of the arse
mites. A few species, sphides, or lice,
take their food In liquid form, by In
sertiug their beaks into leaf or bark and
sucking the sap. These can be destroy
ed by external application OF liquid
that will close pores and sufocste them.
Kerosene emulsion Is the insecticide most
commonly used 10 spray this class OF in-
sects. By timely and thorough applica-
tiop OF these two insecticides nearly
every Injurious insect that is not pro-
tected by scales, webs or nests, so "a to
be inaccessible to insecticides, can be
DESTROYED Those insects that protect
themselves with u covering OF leaves
drawn around, leaf rollers, etc, are
rather difficult 10 reach with the insecti-
cides, but, inasmuch as most Of them 90
forth from their covering some time dur
ing the day or night to feed upon the
leaves, there Is chance for many OF
them 10 swallow more or less OF the
poison.
The most common fungicide Is the
Bordeaux mixture, and Ii Is very fortu-
nate that this fungicide and the leading
insecticide paris green) can be mixed
and applied at the same time. This will
save great deal Of work, and, in ordi-
nary seasons, three or four thorough
sprsyings will protect against both fungi
and insects. Where heavy beating
showers are frequent IL may be necessary
| TO spray more. Grant thst II adds to the
cost Of fruit-growing to spray sll the
fruit trees several times in a season, vet
when the requisite spraying machinery
is once procured, and the best way OF
using it learned, the cost Of spraying is
small, much smaller than the Increased
receipts caused by spraying. Therefore
I would advise all fruit growers to spray,
and spray early.-New York Tribune.