April 27, 1907 



HORTI CULTURE 



557 



The Codling Moth 



(CARPOCAPSA I'O.MO.NELLA, LIXN.) 



As the blossoiiiing time draws near the period for 

 epraying to destroy the codling inoth attracts attentiou. 

 Gradually extending its operations over a larger and 

 larger field more orchardmen will have to spray to pro- 

 tect their crops of apples and pears. 



The larva or worm which cause the trouble is the 

 young of a small gi-ayish brown moth, having a wing ex- 

 panse of three-fourths of an inch. The front wings are 

 marked with irregular streaks, lines and dashes of gray. 

 It is seldom seen but can be easily identified by the two 

 large brown spots marked witli gold at the end of each 

 fore-wing. 



The first brood of moths emerge about a week after 

 the apples blossom and lay their eggs on the leaves. The 

 pear is also attacked seriously and sometimes the prune, 

 plum, peach and cherry. 



The pearly white, ribbed eggs hatch in eleven days 

 and the young caterpillar begins to feed on the leaves, 

 then enters the fruit, about eighty per cent, passing in 

 through the calyx end. When full grown (a process cov- 

 ering about three weeks), it is three-eighths of an inch 

 long. Coming to the surface it crawls off to find some 

 convenient place to pupate, making a silken cocoon for 

 the purpose. Three weeks laler the moths of the second 

 generation appear and comimnce laying for another 

 brood. 



The second brood reaches the larval stage and then 

 forms its cocoons, hibernating in these placed in cracks 

 and holes of trees, or in storage quarters where fruit is 

 kept. 



Where the insect has not gained a foot-hold strenuous 

 efforts should be made to keep it out. It spreads by the 

 moths flying from tree to tree, a slow process, in storage 

 boxes, and in the fruit. Fumigating the boxes and in- 

 specting the fruit will aid in holding down the insect. 



There are a number of methods which help in con- 

 trolling the moth once it has lux-ome established. 



One is to thin the fi-uit after it has set, removing as 

 far as possible such specimeiis as show the presence of 

 the worm. This is done after the first generation have 

 entered the calyx. All infected fruit should be buried 

 six inches deep. Do all the packing in the orchard. 

 Store the fruit in tight buildings so any moths which 

 emerge will he luialjle to get back into the orchard. 



Spraying is the best remetly. It covers the leaves and 

 fruit with a poison which will kill the young caterpillars 

 when feeding. An application just after the blossoms 

 fall to catch the very young while feeding on the foli- 

 age, and another two or three weeks later is recom- 

 mended for the first brocd. Tlie second spraying should 

 take place when the young apple or pear is upright with 

 the calyx (the old l)lo.-som) open. This lasts a few days 

 and can he determined by watching the trees. 



Later spraying may be required if the second lirood is 

 numerous. The onlv feasible method to determine the 

 time is to spray twentj'-one days after the majoritv of 

 the cocoons of the first brood are found. 



Tlie poisons used are various ar.senical com]30unds 

 such as Paris green, Scheele's green, London purple, ar- 

 senites, and arsenate of lead. The latter gives the best 

 satisfaction, being ready marie, easily mixed, practically 

 insoluble (no bur;iing). holds in suspension white in 

 color, and sticks well. Where Bordeaux mixture is used 

 the poison may be carried in this. 



Paris green is used at the rate of one pound to one 

 hundred gallons and arsenate of lead (also sold as Dis- 

 parene) at the rate of five pounds to the same amount of 



liquid. The spray mu^t be put oq under high pressure 

 to drive a fine mist which will thoroughly soak all parts. 



Banding the trunks with cloth or burlap to furnish 

 convenient places for pupation have proved successful on 

 smooth barked trees. I'hese arc used in conjunction 

 %vith spraying or in only slightly infested districts. The 

 bands are of dark colored cloth, ten or twelve inches 

 wide fastened around the trunks and large branches. 

 These are visited at intervals of ten days and the pupat- 

 ing insects killed. 



In all work against the codling moth be thorough, be 

 careful, be generous with any spray, and do it on time. 



a%. 



The Grape Hyacinths (Muscari) 



These bulbous plants are not as common in gardens 

 as they deserve to be. They may with freedom be 

 classed amongst the early flowering bulbous plants. In 

 spite of the disagreeable weather, their flowers have 

 been a source of pleasure for several weeks. In a small 

 border, with a southern exposure, which is in front of 

 one of our greenhouses, they began to blossom in March 

 and are *till in bloom. Later on they will make an 

 rxcelleijt show in the herbaceous border where they 

 have been planted liberally. 



The grape hyacinths belong to the lily family and 

 there are about forty species, btit not more than one 

 quarter are in cultivation. They are natives of Europe, 

 Asia, and Africa. 



In the front row of the herbaceous border they are 

 charming plants giving satisfaction in a sunny position 

 and doing equally well under the shade of trees. Large 

 masses in the rock garden give pleasing effects. They 

 are not fastidious about soil but, if anything, they pre- 

 fer a light, well drained one. The bulbs are cheap and 

 therefore should be planted in good large colonies, 

 which shows them when in flower to much better advan- 

 tage than when only a few are planted in a clump. 

 >Mien once planted they may be left for several years 

 without disturbing them. The bulbs are best planted 

 iluring September or October. 



Muscari botryoides, from, a gardening point of view, 

 is the most useful. For spring gardening effects it will 

 hold its own with any of the other early flowering 

 spring bulbs. Its flowers are densely arranged on stout 

 spikes eight or nine inches high, and their color is a 

 pleasing blue with the lower ends of the petals tipped 

 with white. The white variety of this species (Muscari 

 botryoides alba) is a charming plant and its spikes of 

 white flowers resemble small white candles rising above 

 the mass of green foliage. This species and its variety 

 ore excellent for forcing, and show to best advantage 

 in shallow pans about eight inches in diameter. 



The feather hyacinth (Muscari comosum monstrosum) 

 is very distinct and grows nine to twelve inches high. 

 Its flowers are of a mauve color and resemble very much 

 clusters of purple feathers. Rather pleasing when 

 grown in masses. 



Muscari racemosum is a common kind which grows 

 vigorously but its flowers are of a duller hue and not 

 quite as pleasing as the other species. Other kinds that ' 

 are worthy of a trial in a warm sunny border are: 

 Armeniacum. concinnum, mosehatum, racemosum, and 

 Szovitsiauum. 



