Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1913-04-11

the plant or tree to wilt and ultimately
die. Large trees may not be badly sf-
fected at first, but on continued per-
sistence of the little animals the FOLIAGE
becomes yellow, the fruit small and
immature, and in the course of time
the tree dies. Just as soon as if ;s
apparent that gophers are disturbing
the trees or plants, quick measuers
must be taken to get rid of them. Prob
ably the quickest and easiest method
is that of poisoning. Into small pieces
of fruit or vegetables are inserted
small doses of strychnine. The pieces
are then dropped into the newly made
holes or inserted into the mounds with
the aid of a stick. If the openings are
now closed up the new mounds of fine
survivors can be located and the work
followed up. Another method is that
of suffocating the animals by the use
of by-sulphide of carbon, very poison
GUS liquid The liquid is poured into
the holes, and gas results which de-
stroys everything which has life. pro-
vided, of course, the gas is confined by
stopping up all surface openings. The
tops of trees whose roots have been
damaged should be cut back in proper
ton to the amount of damage to the
roots.
Rabbits are particularly harmful to
young trees stripping the tender bark
from the trees in winter and summer.
and also attacking the tenderer leaves
in spring and summer. Spraying oc-
caSionally with a weak solution of sui
phur- lime, one part concentrated solu-
ton to fifteen parts of water, will keep
them away almost altogether, and will
not seriously affect the foliage. The
leaves may in some cases be burnt
slightly, but will soon recover. If the
rabbits are very destructive to the
trees, coat of whitewash in which has
been put three tablespoons of paris
green to every pailful of whitewash will
keep them away altogether.
lnsects-Root-feedin Insects - This
class Of insects devour the roots, suck
ing the sap and making the roots es-
pecially susceptible to fungus and de-
cay bacteria. Where water is abundant
flooding may be resorted to in an en-
deavor to drown out the insects. Wood
ashes scattered about the roots Of trees
aid in keeping insects away. If very
bad, 1t will be necessary to change to
more resistant crop in the case of field
crops, or to starve the insects out by
summer following. Trees, too, may be
propagated on more resistant roots
Biting and Boring Insects--This
class includes the peach borer, which
attacks the stems, trunks and fruit Of
the peach, and the worms of the cod
ing moth, which attack the fruit Of
the apple. Also the plum curculio and
a number of others. The only method
OF absolutely Kidding a tree of such
insects, after it has once become in
fected, is that of digging the borers
out or fumigating the tree with hydro
cyanlc acid gas, both of which are
rather expensive processes. Spraying
is effective with the paris green or
other arsenical sprays, provided it is
applied just at the time when the
worms hatch. They are then either
killed by taking some of the poisonous
material into their bodies, or if the
1rult is sufficiently coated, the spray
is distasteful to the worm, and the
fruit protected that way.
Sap-sucking Insects-This class IN
Guides plant lice, scale, red spider, etc.
They differ from the preceding in that
they are not affected by the poisonous
sprays. They extend a beak through
The epidermis and suck the sap. They
are most injurious during the dry
spells. A good shower or spraying with
water will kill the red spider, but for
The others it is necessary to use sui
phur, oils, or such caustic applications
as will injure the bodies of the pests.
1aks al IN