Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-05-25

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them to turn black,
AT the time Of the appearance of
this insect its treatment was but
little understood, and it did great
damage. There were only hand
pumps for spraying trees, and these
we're inadequate to successfully
control an insect of this character.
FOR IA years the psylla was per-
sistent, and SO injured the trees
that the entire ground was cleared
and reset with apples.
Pear orchards of New England,
eastern New Yo,k, New Jersey and
Delaware in many instances have
! been a total loss from this cause,
and it is difficult to estimate of loss
when entire sections of orchards
are DESTROYED
Many Of our most destructive IN
sect pests are imported. and they
are much worse in their depreda-
| ton here shan in the countries
from which they came. There are
two reasons for this new ehvIro-
ment and the absence OF parasites.
which in their native place keep
them in check. Among the most
formidable of all pests are TIE I'M
ported gypsy and browntail moths,
which are doing great damage to
trees about Boston. They are now
spreading over much Of New Eng
land. and in time will extend to
other states.
There are however, means bv
which most insects may oe con-
trolled. Adequate machinery for
spraying insecticides has been in,
vented, and where it is properly
used even the worst Of insects pests
may be brought under control.
Among these insecticides are ar
senate of lead and paris green for
killing all insects that chew or
have biting jaws. Arsenate of
lead is more effectiye, as it adheres
the longer, and it does not injure
the foliage.
Two pounds of arsenate OF lead
in fifty gallons Of water will de-
siroy all eating insects
For plant lice, which includes ail
sucking insects, as the cherry. APP
pie and other aphis, and the pear
psvlla, one pound of whale oil soap
dissolved in six gallons OF water
will effectually control these in
sects, which live upon the new
growth Of the trees.
For winter treatment OF the San
Jose scale. wash is used of salt,
sulphur and lime, sprayed oyer the
trees while IN a dormant condition.
in the proportions of Is pounds of
lime, Is pounds of flowers Of sui
pbur and Is pounds of salt boiled
for an hour in fifty gallons OF wa
ter.
An equally effective spray of
more recent use is a soluable Pc
troleum chemically treated so as to
be entirely and readily soluable in
water. One gallon Of this put in
to 20 gallons Of water. and the
trees sprayed with it as soon as the
foliage falls in the autumn, and
again toward spring, will keep the
scale from doing injury to the trees
or fruit. THIS is very easily appli-
ed, rs it requires no time for mix
ing or preparation.
There are many other materials
on the market for spraying trees,
some of which are effective and
others not. The success OF spray
ing depends upon the use Of pure
materials very thoroughly applied.
and this properly done will save the
trees.
Three years ago twas estimated that
cor n, wheat, cutton, potatoes, fruit
and garden truck suffered IN an
nual damage of nearly $4,000
900. One fourth Of this damage
was laid at the door OF the chinch
bug, while the voracious grasshop-
per was charged with nearly as
much more.
Half hundred million was I'M
Gle Sans bill against the Hessian
fy, an amount sufficient to pay fol
his army. and feed it, too. This
insect is one of The legacies of the
War of the Revolution which cam
no, be disposed OF.
When the liessian troops landed
on Long Island they brought over,