356 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



cruciferous plants. Tliey have, however, been controlled by two 

 methods. Tlie first and preferable is the use of the Carbolic Emul- 

 sion, as published in the Bulletin of the Division of Zoology for 

 March, 1907, where results of detailed experiments are given. 

 Second, by the use of paper disks placed on the ground, around 

 the stalks at the time they are set out. This is also described in 

 detail in the Bulletins. 



9. Corn Koot Louse and Ants. Last spring there were unusual 

 reports of destruction by ants on young corn roots, particularly in 

 very loose soil, but the real work was by root lice or Aphids, for the 

 care of which the ants were responsible. We found that this de- 

 struction was less in fields plowed in the fall rather than in the 

 spring, and occurs almost solely in fields which had previously been 

 in sod. We also found, by a small experimental plot, that where 

 wood ashes and nitrate of soda was used in the corn rows, this pest 

 was much less injurious and the corn more vigorous. It is probable 

 that the wood ashes prevented their activities while the nitrate of 

 soda stimulated the plants to outgrow the injurious effects. 



10. The Corn Stalk ^Veb Worm or Stalk Worm (Crambus). The 

 Corn Stalk Web Worm has proven quite destructive in corn fields 

 following sod. However, we have found that fall plowing and early 

 spring and late fall cultivation prevents this to a great extent. It 

 pays to have the soil in good condition and planting a little late, 

 rather than early. The pests are starved out by this treatment, and 

 the corn appears better by being planted in warm soil, rather than 

 when cold in the early spring. 



11. The Peach Borer. This pest continues to be one of the very 

 worst pests of peach trees, and, in fact, causes more work and an- 

 noyance for the successful peach growers than does the San Jos<? 

 Scale. Our experiments at one time showed that it could be con- 

 trolled by the use of lye, one ounce in a gallon of hot water, using 

 a quart at the base of each tree, and some practical fruit growers (e. 

 g., Mr. J. E. Baird, of Clinton County) report it as having been quite 

 successful in their orchards, but subsequent tests did not agree with 

 the earlier results. It now appears that a small mound of wood 

 ashes around the trunk of each tree is one of the best means of 

 preventing destruction by this pest, and at the same time aids the 

 tree to overcome other pests by adding to the soil needed elements 

 of plant growth. 



12. Peach Yellows. This is one of the unchecked diseases of 

 plants which continues to cause considerable destruction, but as 

 the disease germ causing it has not been isolated nor seen under a 

 microscope, the exact cause is not known. The one direction for 

 treatment that has been given to peach growers heretofore is to 

 cut out and burn on the spot every tree infested with the yellows 

 as soon as the first symptoms are seen. However, the Economic 

 Zoologist of the State Department of Agriculture believes he has 

 succeeded in curing the yellows by severely cutting back the in- 

 fested trees, cultivating the soil about them, and adding a liberal 

 measure of wood ashes and a handful of nitrate of soda, and water 

 abundantly. Each and all of seven or eight trees which a year ago 

 were said to be infected with yellows by experts and practical fruit 

 growers who saw them, were thus treated and have outgrown this 

 disease and have vigorous new wood with fruit buds for next 

 season's bearing. 



