48 STATE HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 



bores the buds and into the twigs of several varieties of fruit trees, 

 but is most numerous and destructive on cherries and plums. This 

 species has been sent to me by several correspondents and has already 

 caused much loss in some of the cherry orchards of St. Louis county. 

 The beetle is nearly cylindrical, blunt at both ends, of a dark brown 

 color and only one-tenth of an inch long. It bores the buds and twigs 

 in its perfect as well as its larvse state, causing lirst a copious exuda- 

 tion of sap and later the shriveling of the twig. Of course no fruit 

 matures on trees suffering from a bad attack. 



The treatment of this insect is a difficult matter. A much diluted 

 kerosene emulsion has been recommended as a spray, and it has been 

 found that soap washes and soda will also keep it in a measure from 

 the twigs. It is an imported pest, and has been reported from almost 

 every section of the country. I shall report further in regard to these 

 insects, and hope to find some efficient remedy for each. 



Please invite the members of the Society to send me specimens of 

 the insects which are found on their fruit trees or on any other trees 

 and plants that may be suffering. Ask them to inclose these specimens 

 in tin or wooden boxes, in which it is not necessary to punch air-holes, 

 together with some of the wood, leaves or fruit]upon which they appear 

 to be working. I shall be glad to determine these species, and to help 

 the senders to a remedy, if it is within my knowledge. 



Wishing you and the Society a most interesting and enjoyable 

 session, I am Yours sincerely, 



Kirkwood, Mo. Mary E. Murtfeldt. 



Plum-Tree PJant-Louse. 



Editor "Rural World" — There is an insect working upon trees of the Wild 



Goose plum, which colonizes in groups on the leaves, feeding upon the sap. It is 



also found upon the fruit stems. What is the name of this insect, and what remedy 



is there for it ? Your respectfully, 



N. W. P. 

 Pleasant View, 111. 



The specimens inclosed were those of the plum-tree plant-louse 

 (Aphis prunifoliij. The best remedy for this or other plant-lice is 

 kerosene emulsion, for which the formula has been given repeatedly in 

 the "Rural World," diluted with about 20 parts of water, and applied 

 in the form of a spray. Another very good remedy is tobacco tea, 

 made by pouring two gallons of hot water on a pound of tobacco, or 

 tobacco stems and applying with a syringe. The trouble is that the 

 aphis causes the curling or twisting of the leaves which protects it in 



