1744 



Report of Farmers' Institutes 



mite galls are noticeaLly elevated. The galls also show one or 

 more tiny openinos — the tunnels or hnrrows made hy the mites 

 on entering and leaving the leaf. Upon the npper and lower sur- 

 faces of leaves, the mite-infested spots are brown, and are generally 

 distributed about the base and margins of the leaf. The mites also 

 injure the fruit and fruit stems, the evidences of their work show- 

 ing at first as light-green pimples, which may later change to 

 blister-like spots or pock marks. The mites spend the winter in the 

 buds, usually under the second and third layers of bud scales. 

 They frequently collect in colonies of fifty or more in little depres- 

 sions in the scales and are more or less concealed and protected by 

 the j)ubescence of the buds. As the buds burst, the mites move to 

 the unfolding leaves in which thev burrow and establish new 

 colonies. In October the mites abandon the leaves and hide in 

 the buds. 



Fig. 140. The Work oi- Blister ]Mite ox Apple 

 Foliage 



Treatment. — Tliis ])est is etficiciitly coinbated l)y spi-ayiug the 

 trees in the spring before the leaves appear with the lime-sulphur 

 mixtui'c. The concentrated lime-sul])hur solution should be diluted 

 iu I he proportions of one gallon of the solution testing 32 to 34° B. 

 to ten or twelve gallons of water for the treatment of the mite 

 alone; but if tlie scale is present on the trees the sjn-ay should bo 

 stronger, one gallon to eight or nine gallons of water. 



