248 STATE BOARD OF. AGRICULTURE. 



REMEDIES. 



The methods of combatting this insect in other states are two in number — first, the 

 brush and cultivator method, recommended by Prof. W. G. Johnson, formerly State 

 Entomologist of Maryland. When this is used the peas are sown in rows from 24 to 30 

 inches apart, instead of in drills as is ordinarily done. When the peas become infested 

 and at intervals as required, the lice are brushed in between the rows from the vines 

 and covered by a cultivator before they can get back on the vines. In order to do this, 

 two boys walk in the open spaces between the rows, leaving one space between them, 

 into this middle space they brush the lice with brooms made of fresh-cut pine branches. 

 Just behind them in the middle space follows the cultivator, which buries the lice. If a 

 hot day be selected a large proportion of the lice will be killed. 



The other method is that of spraying. Prof. Sanderson, of the Delaware Station, 

 describes* in detail the apparatus used by Messrs. Brakeley, of Bordentown, N. J. The 

 machine described sprays four rows at once, and has a device for lifting the vines 

 and spraying from underneath as well as from above. Whale oil soap is the killing 

 agent used. It is dissolved in water at the rate of one pound of soap to six gallons of 

 water. In hogshead lots, whale oil soap can be obtained for three to five cents per 

 pound, making the mixture cost less than one cent a gallon. Kerosene and water was 

 tried by Prof. Sanderson at the rate of 15%, but the kerosene evaporated too quickly 

 to be effective. A 25% mixture was more successful but was not tried on a large scale. 

 However the soap is much cheaper if used in quantity and furthermore the soap can be 

 applied with an ordinary pump and bordeaux nozzle, while the kerosene and water 

 require an expensive pump to do the mixing. 



Experience has shown that this louse works worse on late peas than on early ones. 

 In some places it has been found profitable to select early varieties for growing so far 

 as possible. While the method of growing peas in rows is apt to cut down the yield in 

 bushels, it allows of cultivation, which has many advantages when quality is an object. 



Another item that must not be overlooked is the benefit derived from careful fertiliz- 

 ing. It is a general principle that a crop will withstand attacks by insects much better 

 if in a vigorous, healthy condition. The sap does not seem to agree nearly so well with 

 the insect constitution when the plant is strong as it does under other conditions. 

 Especially is this true with plant-lice and scale-insects. Therefore fertilize well, 

 cultivate well and be prepared to fight on the first appearance of the lice. 



THE CANKER-WORM. 



(Anisopteryx pometaria and Paleacreta vernata.) 



These insects have been so recently discussed in a bulletin of this station, and are so 

 well-known that is seems unnecessary to go into details in regard to the life-history, 

 etc. There exists a strange apathy among the farmers, which must be dispelled before 

 very much can be done toward overcoming this really serious menace to the apple 

 interest of the State. The ravages of the canker-worms continue to increase from year 

 to year and many owners of fine orchards look on and expect the trouble to cease of its 

 own accord or else they try some sort of a spray, fail and lose heart. Meanwhile the 

 canker-worm does not stop as a rule but becomes worse from year to year. The canker- 

 worm works on many shade trees beside fruit trees and in this way it is tided over 

 from one season to another. 



There seems to have, been great difficulty in fighting this pest in certain parts of 

 Michigan. One orchard visited in the eastern part of the State, has been infested for 

 many years. The owner had sprayed it for over ten years, and then became dis- 

 couraged. He had used poison stronger than was necessary and had put it on with a 

 lavish hand but the canker-worm refused to submit. An examination of the apparatus 

 used showed the failure to be due to one weak point ; the nozzle was not suitable for 

 the purpose. It was coarse and would throw a semi-solid stream for quite a distance, 

 but was not capable of throwing a fine spray at all. It was used in preference because 



* Rural New Yorker, July 13. 1901. 



