PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 85 



A GEIST OF QUESTIONS. 



What will prevent the ravages of the striped beetle and the black stink- 

 ing squash bug {Anasa tristis)? , 



Mr. WoODWOETH told that he once read of a man who said he put coal 

 tar around the vines, spread upon worthless paper, and for this purpose he 

 used agricultural reports! 



Mr. Haight: Kerosene oil in plaster, sprinkled among the vines is quite 

 efPectual." 



Prof. T aft: That is good, but turpentine is better. To catch the black 

 bugs (that is the only way to deal with them) place shingles around among 

 the vines, and they will hide under them and be easily caught. 



A member said hen manure water is sure to drive off the striped bug. 



Mr. Johnson: Whale oil soap suds will drive these bugs away. 



Mr. Morrill: I use slaked lime and sulphur to drive off the striped 

 bug; but killing is the only thing to do with the black fellow. 



Is there any objection to high manuring of the blackberry, or entirely 

 midching the ground with stable manure, except that it might cause a later 

 and more tender growth of wood? 



Mr. Morrill: There is no objection, except as to the expense; indeed, I 

 prefer high manuring for the blackberry. Heavy mulching might make a 

 later and tender growth, but we lay the canes down, anyhow, for the winter, 

 and as to this make no difference as to varieties. 



Is the gum about the root of the peach tree always an indication of the 

 borer, or are there other causes for it? 



Mr. Hawley: It is caused by any abrasion of the bark, as well as by 

 the borer. 



Is sowing and plowing under winter rye good for peach and plum 

 orchards? * 



Mr. WiLLARD: The action of rye upon the soil is mechanical mainly, 

 but is good in that way. But as for a fertilizer, clover would be better, for 

 it draws elements of fertility from both the air and the depths of the soil. 



Prof. Bailey: The question has been much discussed. Rye is better 

 than nothing upon the ground over winter, especially upon light soils. 

 Rye has a little value as a fertilizer, and so has buckwheat, but neither is of 

 much value save as a cover for the soil. I would use some leguminous 

 plant instead (such as peas or the vetches), but it is questionable if it is 

 well to place clover in a young orchard. There should be some cover to the 

 soil during fall and winter. 



