76 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE- 



flavor of the apple is better than the western grown apple, yet 

 the best trade will not take them. To obtain the best fruit that 

 will command the highest value, it will be wiser to take a few 

 acres of- the best land on the farm for future planting and give 

 to them higher culture and more spraying. 



In the soil survey and investigations that have been made in 

 New York State, it has been found that the cultivated orchards 

 yield 80% more fruit than an equal area in sod, and that the 

 quality of the apple is better. 



Tillage not only improves the soil, but conserves the moisture, 

 which gives larger yields and better fruit. 



INSECT CONTROE. 



When we realize that there are over 300 different species of 

 insects that attack the apple tree, the wonder is that there should 

 be anything left for human use. Fortunately they are not all 

 seriously injurious. 



In attempting the control of insects, it is important to under- 

 stand those which it is necessary to control. 



There is much spraying done that is ineffective because the 

 right materials and methods are not used. 



There are two types of insects to keep in mind, which need 

 entirely different treatment. One is the sucking class, which 

 suck the sustenance from the wood, foliage and fruit. This 

 is known as the plant lice type, the aphis, that curls up the 

 leaves of the new growth. The San Jose scale belongs to this 

 class, and is one of the most destructive in its work, now very 

 generally spread over most of our country. For these insects, 

 oily sprays need to be used. They are killed by contact of the 

 material with their bodies. We have used kerosene emulsion 

 extensively, but find Scalecide more convenient and for the San 

 Jose scale, more effective. Lime and sulphur mixture is also 

 effective if it is properly made and applied. 



There are now many commercial brands put out, and while 

 we have used them, they have not proved as effective as Scale- 

 cide. In a comparative test made a year ago, few scales were 

 killed by lime and sulphur and the spread the past season was 

 very great, while Scalecide used on the same day, in the same 

 orchard, gave far better results. 



For the apple aphis, one gallon of Scalecide to thirty-five of 

 water will be effectual sprayed on as soon as the insect is dis- 



