20 THE EErOKT OF THE No. 36 



correct time and with the right mixtures two or three times during the summer, 

 the results have been disappointing. In orchards where the trees are attended 

 to several years in succession satisfying results with sprays have been obtained, 

 thus demonstrating that combined and continued attack on this insect results in 

 success. 



The Plum Curculio during this last summer has been more plentiful than 

 usual, at least not perhaps in point of numbers, but in comparison with the fruit 

 crop, which has been light. The early spring and blossoming period was cold and 

 wet, and it was hoped that these climatic conditions, while reducing the fruit yield, 

 would also afl'ect the numbers of this insect. Later reports show, however, that it 

 was as much in evidence as usual, if anything, attacking a larger proportion of the 

 fruit crop. 



This insect attacks a variety of fruits, and the members of the Entomological 

 Society should be urged to regard this insect witli more attention. More obser- 

 vations are needed on the best time to spray. It is considered best to use an in- 

 soluble poison in a spray and to coat the leaves and the small developing fruits with 

 it. But whether to spray early or late is the point to be determined. If spray is 

 applied too early the calyx cup protects the young plum and when, in course of a 

 few days, the calyx cup drops off, the plum is left clean and free for attack. 



The San Jose Scale is steadily increasing, despite the greater number of men 

 who are spraying, and if my information is correct, spreading to new orchards. I 

 saw an excellent result of a spraying with lime sulphur (commercial) on a tree 

 well encrusted. 



The Shot Hole Borer is well on the level with the above insects in the matter 

 of destructibility. "We have no definite practical means of fighting it, and its 

 attack iisually means death to the tree. Such injury cannot be said of the other 

 insects which we can fight with a more reasonable hope of success. The destruc- 

 tion of worthless trees and the cleaning up of lumber piles and fence corners cannot 

 be too strongly advised. 



There are other insects which have been more or less plentiful this year. Tlie 

 Pear Tree Slug (Eriocampa cerasi) has been particularly abundant on young 

 cherry trees throughout the entire district. The Currant Aphis [Myzus rihis), 

 an insect causing currant leaves to discolour and fall prematurely, has been com- 

 monly seen. The Snov^^y Tree Cricket {CEcanthus niveus) has been more abund- 

 ant than usual attacking in particular the raspberry. The Grape Berry Worm 

 is reported from St: Catharines vineyards. Apliids common to the apple, which 

 weie reported in numbers last year, were present in considerably reduced numbers 

 this year. The Woolly Aphis (Schizoneura lanigera), considered to be one of 

 the worst pests of the apple in more temperate climes, is fortunately by no means 

 abundant in the Niagara District. It is present, however, throughout the entire 

 district, making itself shown in pruning soars and cracks and crevices of the hark. 

 Its numbers are very small, but perhaps 25 per cent, of tlie apple trees of the dis- 

 trict harbour, to a greater or lesser extent, a few of these insects. My observations, 

 in this regard, only extend over comparatively few orchards. 



One other insect might be mentioned as causing considerable annoyance to 

 certain fruit-growers who were planting out sweet cherry trees this spring. It is 

 a species of wood-boring wasp, the name of which has not yet been determined. 

 This spring, on my own farm, I had occasion to set out upwards of 500 sweet 

 cherries of various varieties. After they had taken a fair hold of the ground I 

 pruned them, leaving merely a straight stem sttanding. The central portion of 

 the stem is soft and pithy, and it is not for several weeks after pruning that the 



