Evening journal., 1918-08-06
VERMIN feeds ON
LEAVES OF TREES
Street Department Tells
Citizens How They Can
Destroy Pests
MUCH DAMAGE
is REPORTED

For the clearing Of trees and plants
Of aphldes. or plant lice" which have
been causing innumerable complaints
Of leaves falling from trees. Directors
Of the Street and Sewer Department
have given out the following informs-
tion, received from the Bureau OF Ento-
mology Of the United States Depart
ment OF Agriculture:
Evidence Of Infestation.
During the growing season aphides,
or so-called plant lice occur In
winged and wlngless from in greater or
lesser numbers on the branches, twigs
and leaves. They feed on the sap, which
they suck from within the tissues by
means Of their pointed beaks, hence
are classed as sucking insects. Under
favorable conditions aphides suddenly
appear In great numbers, particularly
In the spring. Their presence Is indi-
Gated by an abundance Of sticky
"honeydew' on and under the infested
plants by the presence OF ants which
feed on the honeydew. but do not harm
the plant, and by the curling and the
abnormal falling Of leaves: also. when
IN great abundance. the honeydew. by
virtue Of dust and mold sports adher-
| ing 10 u and the latter propagatlng In
II. results In the formation Of a black
| lllm on leaves and other portions OF the
plant.
Control-Notwlthsta their great
numbers. however aphides are usually
incapable Of doing permanent harm 10
IN otherwise vigorous tree or shrub.
They never abide long in great nCm-
bers, being decimated by their numer-
GUS insect enemies. and a sharp change
in The weather 10 hot and dry makes
their disappearance as sudden as their
appearance. Hence treatment which
involves labor snd expense and re-
/ quircs on adequate equipment. Is In
most cases safely dispensed with. But
when conditions warrant a. Il Is pos
sihle fnd not dif1cuh 10 check aphd
| injury artinicially in the following
manner
Remedles-Being sucking insects,
3nhides cannot be reached with stom-
fch p0isons. Such Insects are usually
controlled by covering them with A
liquid substance which, without iniur-
ing the plant, will kill the insects by
clogging their breathing pores. or pene-
irating ~ their vitals or both The aim
must he. therefore, 10 cover every
sphis. The covering is affected by ap-
plying such substances with a spraying
device which may be a tin stomlzer a
bucket krapsack or barrel sprayer or a
power spraying machine depending on
the extent Of spraying contemplated.
Substances for spraying plants in
Tested with aphides. after Dr. Quain-
| tancel. 40 per cent. nicotine sulphate
which Is a tobacco decoction procura
4 bic in the market with directions fo
| dilution and application given on IN
container. Fish oil soap solution. us
ing one pound Of the soap to four gal
Ions OF water Kerosene emulsion, q
effective and safe II properly prepared
/ It's preparation, however. is sOmewha
complex and not very suitable for smal
quantities. The brief on its prepare.
/ tion will be sent II deslred)
Note-Strength OF solutions should be
varied with the delicacy Of the plant 10
be sprayed. Thoroughness and early
application, before the leaves begin TO
curl. Is indispensable 70 success. Often
a forceful stream Of water out Of a
hose directed against the aphldes will
dislodge and destroy them. Coopera-
tion with neighbors in equipment and
operations or engagements OF reliable
parties making a speciality OF the work
is desirable where feasible.