70 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



larvae a week before the time to spray. I knew it was not time to 

 spray as I was carrying on an experiment in the orchard to determine 

 the flight of the moth. 



I found the cause of this early infection in the packing house. To 

 my surprise, the crates which were stored there over winter, were cover- 

 ed with cocoons of the codling moth. Upon entering and jarring the 

 crates a cloud of moths blew about and out through the doors to lay 

 their eggs in the orchard. The majority of the moths had flown at 

 Hi is time. I made an estimate of the number of cocoons and found 

 that no less than 4,000,000 larvae were hatched out from this packing 

 house. 



You all know that a plant grown in a green house or some protected 

 place, will come to maturity earlier in the spring than one grown out of 

 door. The same was true of these moths that had been reared in the 

 packing house. They hatched out earlier, on account of the warmer and 

 more sheltered conditions under which they lived. As a result, the 

 orchard was full of moths before a spray had been applied. Seasoning 

 along the same line we can say, those cocoons spun up in cellars or 

 storage houses would hatch out later than those in the orchard, be- 

 cause of the cold and dampness. This brood would infect the orchard 

 later in the year than those hatching out in the orchard. 



Sprays are recommended to be applied at certain times. This time 

 is the period when the larvae are present from eggs laid from moths 

 reared under orchard conditions. Now we do not spray for this early 

 brood which hatches out in the packing house or a later brood which 

 hatches out in storage cellars. Instead, we resort to a simple method 

 of fumigation or burning of sulphur. This fumigation should be done 

 early in the spring before the approach of warm weather. Where build- 

 ing can be closed up tightly, 5 pounds of sulphur to 1,000 cu. ft. of air 

 space is sufficient, but in more open houses where every crack can- 

 not be sealed up 10 pounds or even more should be used. 



In conclusion, I would advise every grower to acquaint himself with 

 the cocoon and moth and be able to detect it. If he is not sure of its 

 presence, fumigate, as an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 



THINNING FRUIT. 



I. J. PICKFORD, EAST LANSING. 



Tli inning fruit on the tree is an important operation in the scientific 

 management of orchards, and one that Michigan horticulturists should 

 practice more extensively. We want to establish in the mind of the 

 markets and in every consumer the idea that Michigan stands for 

 quality. Let us assist nature in her effort to put Michigan on top. 

 Fruit growers, however, are hard headed business men and they will 

 not go to the expense of thinning for an idealistic effect only. There 

 must be money in the process before they will proceed and an examina- 

 tion shows its value for more reasons than one. 



Possibly the foremost factor is protection to the tree. No one wants 



