Semi-weekly herald., 1908-03-23
SPRING REMEDIES FOR
THE WooLLY APHIs

THE WOOIlY APHIS.
D.
We have had another mild winter
and, as a result. the woolly aphis OF
the apple trees has lived over in un-
usually large numbers. The last
brood OF lice that came iuto existence
IN the fall very largely migrated down
the trees aud spent the winter in any
convenient hiding place that would
give them some protection from the
cold. These little lice do not have
the cottony secretions which give the
larger lice the white color, SO that
they are likely to be mistaken for
different insect.
In u recent visitation oil many or
chards of the state, found these in
faDt lice in very large numbers about
the crowns OF the trees just beneath
the surface, where the earth had
cracked open SO that they could ca
ter; and in some umbers upon the
trunks and branches beneath seal
bark are the dead bodies OF the la ),
lice that were killed by the co
weather of late fall or early viii
AS soon as we have few conse i
will locate upon the tender twigs +
branches, insert their beaks and bu.
gin 10 suck the sap OF the trees. As
soon rs they begin to feed in this
manner, the cottony COY ering is Sc
creted as a protection 10 their bodies.
The best time to destroy this louise
is before these little over-winter lice
have established themselves upon the
bark oil the trees.
1t Is not necessary to wait until the
buds begin to swell before treating
this insect. In fact, spray for the
woolly aphis may be made at any
time during the winter season. AS
these lice cannot be killed except as
the spray comes in contact with their
bodies SO as to wet them, it is i'm
portaat that the application be very
thorough. and it should be made with
sufficient force as to drive 1t into
every crack and creyice of the bark
ii is especially important TO drench
the entire surface of the trunk and
large limbs, and the ground also, for
foot or more about the ground OF
the tree.
A good kerosene emulsion that is
about per cent oil, strong tobacco
decoction, or good quantity of whale
oil soap, may be used for the destruc-
ton OF these lice. A thorough appli-
cation at this time might do away
with the necessity OF later a1d more
expensive spray when the leaves are
out
Prepare by dissolving one pound Of
soap in gallon OF boiling water
When boiliag hot, remove from the
FIRE and add at once the two gallons
of kerosene. AS soon as the kerosene
is added, agitate the mixture as brisk
y as possible by pumping it back
into the vessel containing it through
/ Spl ~ AhS hOAZAts lHth 10 ob
gallons and apply.
Tobacco Decoction.
Use two pounds OF tobacco dust or
| tobacco stems. or one pound of whole
leaf tobacco TO each four gallons OF
water. Put the tobacco in enough
water to cover 1t well and steep just
below the boiling point for an hour
or two. Then dilute to four gallons
and apply.
Black Leaf Dip.
Blacl leaf dip, which is tobacco
preparation used for the destruction
of parasites upon domestic animals,
has become very popular in parts OF
Colorado for the destruction of plant
lice. II may be used in the proper
to each 70 gallons of water. 1t may
be used in either warm or cold water,
but warm water is preferred. II is
ready for application as soon as mixed.
After the leaves appear upon the
trees, it would be well to keep a.
close watch for little white patches
which indicate the presence of this
insect. II they are not too numerous.
they may be destroyed and the insect
kept in check by swabbing over these
patches with coal oil. This can be
done by taking a small quantity OF
oil in basin or other small dish and
applying it by means of swab or a
paint brush.
c. p. GILLETTE,
Entomologist, Colorado Agricultural
College. Fort Collins.
(From Thursdays Dailyl