STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 191 



tree: " Scrape off all the rough bark of the infested trees, and make 

 them perfectly clean and smooth early in the spring; then rub the trunk 

 and limbs with a stiff brush wet with a solution of potash ; after which 

 remove the sods and earth around the bottom of the trunks, and with the 

 scraper, brush and alkaline liquor cleanse that part as far as the roots can 

 be conveniently uncovered. The earth and sod should immediately be 

 carried away, fresh loam should be placed around the roots and all cracks 

 and wounds should be fill&d with grafting cement or clay mortar. Small 

 limbs and infested branches, beyond the reach of the applications, should 

 be cut off and burned." 



It is not very difficult to reach and destroy the lice upon the trunk 

 and larger branches, as this can usually be accomplished by an applica- 

 tion of strong lye, soap-suds, etc., put on with a whitewash brush; or 

 what would perhaps be more effectual, kerosene mixed with some other 

 kind of oil. The great difficulty is to reach the insects on the roots, and 

 the failure of all such applications as those above mentioned to counteract 

 the Grape Phylloxera would indicate, at least, a somewhat similar result 

 in reference to the Apple-root louse, notwithstanding the confidence with 

 which they have been recommended. The hot water remedy is probably 

 the best yet suggested, as it is the simplest, and as effective as either of 

 the others. 



Blot was of the opinion that topical applications were of but com- 

 paratively little use, his reliance being placed chiefly on preventive 

 measures, and to this end he recommended the following culture : Avoid 

 giving to the nursery in which the young trees are any more shade than 

 absolutely necessary ; avoid placing the trees in too flat or humid ground ; 

 give to both thre nursery and orchard all ventilation possible, so that 

 they may be thoroughly aired, and keep the heads of the trees open, so 

 as to favor the circulation of air and the drying of the soil ; use the 

 plow frequently, and do not permit rubbish or twigs to remain under 

 the trees ; surround each tree with a mixture of soot or tobacco and 

 fine sand. 



As a matter of course, the preventive measures by cultivation must 

 depend in part upon the character of the soil. If a very sandy soil, the 

 necessity for air and sunshine is not so great as where it is heavy, nor is 

 there the same necessity for repeated plowings. I am of the opinion 

 that in most of the heavy soils of our State lime might be advantageously 

 used in moderate quantities about the roots of the trees. And in tlie 

 nursery lime or ashes might aid in keeping off these insects. These 

 ai)plications, combined with clean culture, will undoubtedly aid very 

 greatly in preventing the occurrence of this pest, and also others almost 

 or quite as troublesome. 



69. Eriosoma Rilepi, {E. ubni, Riley). The Woolly Aphis of the 

 Elm tree. 



This species was originally described and named by Prof. Riley, in 

 his first annual report, as Eriosoma ulmt, but as this specific name is pre- 

 occupied by the Aphis ulini of Linnaeus, which was afterwards transferred 



