The Peach-Teee Borer. 



225 



and although we made two applications, on May 31st and July 19tli, 

 no encouraging results were obtained. The whitewash scaled off 

 quickly under the influence of rains and other ordinary climatic 

 conditions. 



Whitewash and linseed oil. — This combination was suggested to 

 us by a correspondent in 1895. To every gallon of thick whitewash 

 we added one quart of linseed oil. The oil greatly increased the 

 lasting qualities of the whitewash, and the mixture formed a good 

 coating on the trees for two months. Linseed oil is reported as a 

 dangerous ingredient in washes (Howard, Bull. 2, U. S. Div. of 

 Ent., p. 34), but no injury resulted to our young trees from its use 

 with whitewash. The following table gives our results from one 

 year's test of this jvash : 



When applied. 



June 24, 1895. 



Number 

 of trees 

 treated. 



14 



When examined. 



June 6, 1896. . 

 June 15, 1896.. 

 June 17, 1896. . 



Number 

 of trees 

 infested. 



7 (50^) 



Number 



of borers 



found. 



13 



Largest 



number 



of borers 



in one 



tree. 



Effect of 

 applica- 

 tion on 

 tree. 



None. 



Years. 



Untreated or check trees. 



1895-1896. 



128 



Same dates. 



68 (53^) 



176 



8 



The results afford no encouragement to the peach-grower. 



It is doubtful if the whitewash and glue wash recommended by 

 Marlatt (1896), or the Bordeaux mixture inconclusively tested by 

 Baker (1898) would afford any more protection from the peach-tree 

 borer than did our similar whitewash and linseed oil wash. 



Holers and similar washes. — Since 1888 Mr. J. H. Hale, one of 

 America's most famous and most successful peach-growers, has 

 strongly recommended a wash of potash or soap, lime, and carbolic 

 acid, and sometimes Paris green ; the real " meat " of tlie whole 

 thing, he states " being the carbolic acid which makes such an 

 offensive odor that the moth is driven to more congenial quarters to 

 lay her eggs." This wash has doubtless been more extensively used 

 during the past ten years than any other application. Some sub- 

 15 



