78 THE EEPOET OF THE ^o. 36 



In many orchards tlie ravages of this pest caused such a large number of the 

 leaves on the lower branches to turn sickly and yellow, that the trees looked very 

 unsightly until these fell off. Much of the fruit was deformed and hung in 

 clusters of dwarfed apples. 



Aphis arenae seemed to be the next most common species and was very destruc- 

 tive to nursery stock and young orchards in August and September. I identified 

 these two species, but was not sure whether Aphis pomi was present or not. I 

 think that if it was, it must have been in small numbers. About the first week 

 in July both Aphis sorhi and A. avenae disappeared from apple trees. 



The Black Aphis of the Cherry (Myzus cerasi) also disappeared at this 

 time, but I could not be sure whether this was due to migration or the attack of 

 Ladybird beetles and other predaceous insects. It had been somewhat more abun- 

 dant than usual. 



The Currant Aphis (Myzus ribis) was also every abundant and did much 

 damage. About fifty per cent, of this species were parasitized by one or more 

 hynienopterous parasites. The adults of these could easily he seen and were quite 

 numerous. There was no evidence of any parasitic work on Aphis sorhi or A. 

 avenae, although predaceous insects, especially Ladybird beetles and their larvje, 

 were very helpful. I saw no signs of any fungous disease attacking any species. 



In the early part of June there was a moderate number of Peach Aphids 

 {Myzus persicae) present, but they did very little damage and soon disappeared. 



The Woolly Aphis (Schizoneura laiiig era) could be found in almost every 

 orchard but not in unusual numbers. 



Mr. Baker and I planned some experiments on the control of Aphids early 

 in the season, when the buds were just ready to burst. At that date we applied 

 Black Leaf 40 along with the regular spring strength of lime-sulphur to two 

 badly infested trees. Examination of these trees a day or two later showed that 

 almost every Aphid had been killed. On check trees they were still alive. Further 

 tests with other mixtures were made, but we have not yet found anything bo 

 good as the above. There is need, however, of a cheaper remedy than Black Leaf 40. 

 I have very little faith in lime-sulphur as a remedy for aphids of the orchard. 



San Jose Scale (Aspidiotus perniciosus). Every year or two we hear of some 

 new district into which this scale has gone. This year Mr. McNeil of Ottawa 

 wrote to me that it was reported to be in an orchard near Woodstock. I went 

 lip to investigate and found a'bout a dozen trees nearly killed by it and all the 

 rest of the orchard infested. Clearly it had been in the orchard for about four 

 years without any one knowing what it was. Mr. Kydd of the Fruit Branch, 

 Toronto, and I held a demonstration meeting in this orchard in October. Arrange- 

 ments have been made to have the orchard sprayed and looked after by the Depart- 

 ment as one of its regular demonstration orchards. This seemed the wisest course 

 to pursue, so that an example of thorough work might be set. Two neighboring 

 orchards are just becoming infested, but no injury has been done to either yet. 

 Though the scale is spreading, the use of lime-sulphur and thorough spraying is 

 spreading still more rapidly. In Essex, one of the worst scale districts, the 

 Eepresentative wrote to me a few days ago that more spraying was done last year 

 than in all the years before taken together. It occurred to me that the severity 

 of last winter might show a much diminished number of scales this year, but 

 apparently it had little effect. 



