630 Report of the Department of Horticulture of the 



a small, brownish caterpillar which folds over one portion of the 

 leaf and lives and feeds within the protecting fold. Spraying for 

 the first brood must be made before the insect is protected within 

 its folded leaf, using arsenate of lead three pounds to fifty gallons 

 water. Mowing and burning the beds after fruiting will destroy 

 many of the insects and if necessary a later arsenical spray may be 

 found beneficial for the late brood. 



Strawberry weevil. The eggs, which later hatch into small 

 whitish grubs, are laid in the flower buds. The egg-laying beetle 

 eats away part of the stem below the bud causing it to droop. The 

 grubs feed on the pollen of the flower bud and on this account the 

 imperfect-flowering kinds are not attacked by the insect. No satis- 

 factory remedy can be given. Spraying will give but little relief 

 as the insects feed within the buds and are thus protected from 

 spray materials. In cases of severe infestation badly affected beds 

 may be burned over after fruiting; clean culture should be given; 

 neglected spots grown up to weeds, especially if adjacent to the straw- 

 berry bed, should be destroyed, as such places usually harbor the 

 insects; and a quick rotation of crops grown. 



Diseases. — Leaf -spot. This is the most serious disease of straw- 

 berries. Its presence is indicated by circular light-colored spots, 

 bordered with red, on the leaves. Good air and soil drainage with 

 selection of somewhat resistant varieties aid greatly in reducing 

 the amount of injury. In severe cases it may be necessary to spray 

 thoroughly with bordeaux mixture (3-3-50) as growth begins in 

 the spring and again just before blossoming time; or in some seasons 

 spray as soon as the old rows have been cleaned out after fruiting 

 time. If necessary arsenate of lead 3 pounds to 50 gallons may 

 be combined with any of these sprayings for insect troubles. A 

 quick rotation tends to reduce injury both from diseases and insects. 



Mildew. — A fungus disease affecting the leaves spreading over 

 the surface as a dull whitish mold and causing them to curl. Some 

 varieties are much more susceptible to this disease than others. 

 Spraying with bordeaux mixture as recommended for leaf-spot will 

 aid somewhat in holding this disease in check, but a spray of sulphide 

 of potassium one ounce to two gallons water is usually more efficient. 



fruit. 



Picking and marketing. — The fruit must be picked and handled 

 with care to arrive at its destination in good condition. The surface 

 of the berries should not be bruised. The color should be well- 

 developed over the entire surface on its arrival at the market, picking 

 slightly greener for distant than for nearby markets. If picked 

 when wet the fruit will not ship well. The hull or calyx should 

 be attached to each berry. Some growers prefer to grade the fruit 

 as it is picked, placing the inferior fruit by itself in boxes in the 



