THE REPORT OF THE No. 19 



tlie Potato Bettle, Asparagus Beetle, Plum Lecanium, Curculio, Codling 

 Moth and San Jose Scale. 



There are some fine examples of successfully combatting Plum Lecanium 

 and Oyster Shell Bark-louse with lime and sulphur. In several instances no 

 live insects have been observed since the treatment was given in the spring. 



For some reason the Pea-Beetle did not appear and farmers count on 

 growing peas more extensively next year. For a long time it has been my 

 contention, that a severe winter will destroy the Pea-Beetle and our present 

 experience seems to bear out this idea. 



The San Jose Scale was on deck as usual when summer came; not how- 

 ever without suffering a heavier loss than from any previous winter in Can- 

 ada. Owing to the cold spring the larvae did not apear till July, about 

 two weeks after the usual time, and the multiplication during the season was 

 not nearly so great as in ordinary years, but was sufficient to greatly increase 

 the degree of infestation beyond what it was a year ago. The area of in- 

 fested sections is increasing, as the scale (besides increasing the density) 

 reaches out continually and extends the limit. Several new infested points 

 were discovered. One new outbreak not very far from home I have had un- 

 der observation during the summer. Where the scale was plentiful and rho 

 vigour of the trees reduced, the effect of the winter was very marked. Many 

 such orchards have already died and others cannot long survive. The peach 

 orchards are so reduced by scale and frost that there will be no glutted mar- 

 kets until other orchards are produced. 



Realizing this, the more intelligent growers treated their orchards last 

 spring. A greatly increased quantity of spraying material was used which 

 was again supplied by the Government at half cost as follows : — 8,631 gallons 

 of crude petroleum, 772 112 lb. sacks of sulphur and 40 bbls. of McBain's 

 crude carbolic acid mixture which cost |17.50 per barrel. This latter was 

 used regardless of the price (which is prohibitive) with results somewhat bet- 

 ter than last year, but not very satisfactory. The crude petroleum was used 

 mostly in the township of Niagara and my information is that its use will not 

 be continued as most of the growers now recognize the superiority of lime 

 and sulphur which has come to the front very much during this season. In 

 my judgment there is no spray remedy for scale equal to it and its effect as a 

 fungicide is svich that fungus did not appear in considerable quantity where 

 it was used on trees, bushes or vines; and on orchards which had been treated 

 regularly there was apparently no fungus at all. lii the spring of 1902 an 

 orchard comprising 160 apple, pear, plum, peach and cherry trees some- 

 what infested with scale was sprayed with 20 bbls. of a heavy mixture of lime 

 and sulphur thorough! v cooked. The trees were whitened in every part and 

 attracted much attention. Although there has been no subsequent treat- 

 ment there is aparently no live scale remaining and this is not the only in- 

 stance of perfect work in killing the scale with a single operation. 



Letters from New Jersey complain of the inefficiency of lime and sul- 

 phur and speak of returning to crude petroleum. These letters also explain 

 their methods of preparation and what better results need they expect? In 

 many cases they depended upon the slaking lime to reduce the sulphur, 

 using both in small proportion and making a weak mixture. When they 

 cooked it, the boiling was continued only from thirty minutes to an hour 

 which is insufficient. For best results (and these alone are satisfactory) the 

 wash should contain h lb. of sulphur to the gallon and enough of lime to 

 thoroughly reduce it, sav A lb. to 1 lb. of lime to the gallon and the cooking 

 be continued two full hours. At the end of the first hour it will be changing 

 color. In a little longer time the color will be a good amber and tinged with 



