838 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



7 GEORGE V, A. 1917 

 LAWNS. 



A uew lawn, seeded down to Kentucky blue grass about the end of April, developed 

 a fine dense sward during the summer. The portulaca and barnyard grass were serious 

 weeds, but after they were pulled up once, the grass got ahead of them and should 

 keep down all weeds in the future. Portions of lawns that were seeded down in June 

 did not produce any results on account of the drought. 



INSECT PESTS. 



The season was very bad, from the point of view of insect injury. The most serious 

 insects were the aphids and cankerworms on the maple. It is important to educate the 

 public and arouse public sentiment in favour of insect destruction, as otherwise, insect 

 pests will greatly hamper the operations of the horticulturist and the general farmer. 



Several species of aphids were observed doing damage at this Farm. They 

 infested maples, viburnums, currant bushes, plum trees, dogwood, balsam fir, elm and 

 others. Kerosene emulsion and tobacco-and-soap solution are effective remedies, except 

 in the case of the woolly aphis of the elm. This insect rolls or curls up in the leaves 

 into galls, which it uses for breeding and hibernating qviarters. The emulsion cannot 

 penetrate these galls, to smother the insect. As in the case of the galls of the Pemphi- 

 gus vagabundus (another aphid), the best method of control is handpicking and burning 

 the galls and contents. 



Insects which can be controlled by poisonous sprays are cmil-erworvx (the fall- 

 cankerworm appeared here), spruce hudworm and tent caterpillar. A species of 

 this last insect was found on some of the native shrubs but did not affect the arboretum 

 specimens. 



Gall forming insects of minor importance : (1) A species of Cecidomyidse on the 

 terminal buds of the maples in the spring. (2) Eriopliyes acericolae — mites causing 

 innum.erable small galls on the plum tree leaves. (3) Frost mites (Genus Eriopliyes) 

 on the leaves of maples and some other deciduous trees. 



An insect which is likely to cause serious trouble in the West is the Negundo Twig 

 Borer. The larvse inhabits the petioles and tender growing shoots of the maple, causing 

 enlargements and consequent destruction of the affected part. No sprays will reach 

 the seat of the trouble. 



Red Spiders attacked the small spruce hedge but were controlled by a spray of 

 tobacco-soap solution. 



A considerable number of plums were spoiled by the Plum Gouger. Horticulturists 

 in the West have noted its work for some years past. 



A Snout Beetle (Rhynchitis bicolor) destroyed many of the flower buds on the 

 cultivated roses. These should be hand-picked constantly, as they are very destructive 

 to roses. 



The summer was in many respects unfavourable to a good display among annuals 

 and perennials. No month was entirely free from frosts, and as early as August 24 

 the thermometer registered 3 degrees of frost and 6 degrees on August 26. This was 

 succeeded on August 31 by the maximum of the season, viz., 94-5. Several night frosts 

 occurred during the first part of September. A continuous drought lasting from late 

 July until early September, also affected the flowers adversely. Considering the cir- 

 cumstances, the display was very good, and lasted well into the fall. Altogether about 

 300 varieties of bulbs, perennials, annuals and tubers (dahlias) were grown outside 

 during the season. Observations were made regarding the hardiness and general desir- 

 ability of the different varieties. 



Brandon. 



