17 



INSECTS AND DISEASES. 



White Geubs.— White Grubs are by far the most serious pest that we have 

 attacking the strawl)erry, because tliey usually do their most damage to the young 

 p]a]]ts as they are set in the spring, by eating the roots. When damaged thus the 

 plants turn brown and die. In such cases there is no remedv, except to dio- into 

 tJie ground at the base of old jdant, destroy the grub if he can he found and then 

 replant. 



The best remedy is prevention. The wlute_ grub is the larva of the June 

 beetle, and lives and feeds in the ground at least "two years. If tlie soil is plowed 

 am cultivated yearly or not allowed to remain in gnatss or sod for more than 

 one year the larva? cannot mature, as such cultivation destroys them. Strawberries 

 two years in succession encourages them. In any case strawlierries should not be 

 planted on land that has heen in sod one, two, or more years, unless it is known 

 that such land is free from this pest. Grow corn, i^otatoes, or roots and free 

 the soil of these pests first. 



Stkawberry LExVF Eollee.— As far as is known to the writer this pest has 

 not proved serious in Ontario, and only ojie instance is known to him where it was 

 sufficiently troublesome to demand treatment. The pest, may be identified bv the 

 damage it does. The larva^ fold the leaves by drawing the upper surfaces together 

 and fastening with Ijands of silk. Tliey then eat away from the inner side all 

 green portions of the leaves. 



The remedy is to spray with three pounds of arsenate of lead in forty gallons 

 of water before the leaves are folded or just when the larva? are first noticed to 

 be working. Eepeat again at intervals, but not when the plants are in bloom, or 

 after the fruit is set. The 3'oung plants nuiy l)e sprayed at any time. 



Steawberey Leai^ Spot is the only disease kno\ra to the writer that is serious, 

 and even this shows up largely only on plantings that have been kept the second 

 and third years. Spraying wiih Bordeaux Mixture in early spring lias been 

 recommended for this, and when c^arried (Hit thoroughly, brightens the plants and 

 gives them a healthier color. The hest method is prevention. When renewing a 

 patch for the second year, if possible, mow and rake off or burn all the old plants 

 and weeds that may have collected. Experimental work has not demonstrated 

 that burning the old plants is entirely effective, but it is the method practised 

 by the l)est o-j-n^wers. 



