112 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA : 



Prevention and Remedies. 



If the large scales are lifted up with the edge of a pen-knife, 

 it will be observed that numbers of tiny, soft insects are 

 moving about underneath the tortoise-shaped shell of the 

 female scale. This is the time to attack them with the 

 spray pump. Cut away and burn as much of the old wood 

 as possible, and then with a brush well scrub the stem with 

 hot kerosene emulsion — one part of the emulsion to five 

 parts of water. Spray the weaker portions of the plant 

 with kerosene emulsion — one part of the emulsion to ten 

 of water. Clear away the soil from the base of the stem, 

 scrape off and burn all old loose bark, and spread a little 

 lime on the ground close round the stem. 



This pest can be got rid of more easily than many others 

 of the same group, but it must be watched, as also must 

 shrubs and climbers growing in the same garden. When 

 treating vines, be careful that any insects clustering round 

 the newly-cut branches are at once destroyed, as when first 

 hatched the young scale are somewhat difficult of detec- 

 tion, and may have to be carefully looked for. 



Parasites, small wasps, &c, have been seen hovering 

 about scale-infested vines ; but these must not be waited 

 for. A good spray pump will save the situation. 



