THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 103 



one spraying unnecessary. Several times since then I have noticed 

 that others have had like experience. This is why I suggest this change 

 to the Australian bill. — A. J. C. 



Pointers. — There are some principles that have general application 

 in protecting against insect pests and plant diseases which should 

 always be remembered and applied by the fruit growers. 



VIGOROUS HEALTH. A GOOD INSECTICIDE AND FUNGICIDE. 



Many insects like most borers and probably most fungi are very 

 partial to plants or trees that are feeble and in a decline. We under- 

 stand from this why transplanting is a critical time with herbs, shrubs, 

 vines and trees. The flat-headed borers (Buprestids) and the round- 

 headed borers (Cerambycids) are most prone to attack the newly 

 planted tree. Of course this newly set tree is also less able to resist 

 attack, and thus is doubly handicapped. We are admonished then that 

 good culture, ample fertilization and abundant moisture are among the 

 important measures that will hold our insect pests in control. The 

 expert farmer guards against the terribly destructive Hessian fly by 

 early planting and the best tilth, as his vigorous plants effectually 

 resist the destructive sapping which results from the attack of this 

 Dipteron. The wise, skillful gardener always works to produce vigor in 

 his young, tender seedlings. The early, vigorous plant escapes the 

 worm. Fungi even more than insects are ever alert to attack and kill 

 the weakling. We may safely schedule three available and efficient 

 fungicides, Bordeaux, lime-sulphur and all possible effort to promote 

 health and vigor, and possibly we may truthfully say that the greatest 

 of these is the health-giving care. 



LATE FALL, WINTER AND EARLY SPRING PLOWING. 

 Many insects, like leaf hoppers, hibernate as nymphs or adults in the 

 earth or just at the surface of the ground under rubbish. Hosts of our 

 insect enemies, like saw-fly larviB or pupae, caterpillars (cutworms and 

 other Sphingids), etc.; many Dipterous, notably the destructive antho- 

 myids, the army of root-eating beetles, especially the white grubs 

 (Scarabiids) and wire worms (Elaterids) ; nymphs and imagoes of 

 aphids, leaf hoppers and other Homopterons ; eggs of locusts and hiber- 

 nating Orthopterons — all these are snugly hidden away in the earth, 

 awaiting only spring to commence their often irresistible onslaught 

 upon our plants, vines and trees. Plowing in late fall, during winter 

 and in early spring will destroy numerous species of these subterranean 

 insects. True, severe cold does not cooperate with us as it does with 

 the farmer in the East and North, yet this winter plowing is a wise 

 and useful practice even in our warm, balmy California. Breaking up 

 the cells of hibernating larvae and pupae is the death sentence to many, 

 and exposure to insectivorous birds often completes the good work. I 

 have seen our common blackbirds following the plow in merry mood 

 as they feasted on the exposed grubs and caterpillars of orchard and 

 vineyard. When the moisture condition is suitable winter plowing is 

 always to be recommended from an entomological standpoint. 



