216 RASPBERRY. 



logical sweei^ing-net has been found to answer for clearing 

 bushes after dark. 



The commonly adopted method of destroying these weevils 

 in vineries and peach-houses is to spread cloths below the 

 boughs, and shake the beetles down on them at night ; then 

 to gather the beetles together and destroy them with boiling 

 water. This plan is equally applicable to standards, and, 

 with a little management, to wall fruit trees ; but it should 

 be borne in mind that, as they drop when frightened, opera- 

 tions must not be begun until the cloths are placed ready. 



It is recommended by Mr. Malcolm Dunn, of Dalkeith, that 

 a white sheet should be laid under the boughs the day before, 

 and a large and bright light used, so that when the beetles 

 fall they may be easily noticed ; otherwise, if no sheet has 

 been si3read and the light is dim, many of the beetles are 

 almost certain to escape, from their colour being so like that 

 of the ground. 



Another method is for two people to hold a sheet below 

 the boughs, and for a third to shake and then bring a light 

 to catch the beetles by ; but the above-mentioned plan is 

 better. 



Getting rid of the maggots is a most difficult task, but 

 it was found by Mr. Malcolm Dunn that watering with a 

 "strong solution of ammoniacal liquor and common agricul- 

 tural salt is effective in preventing the increase of this pest." 



Where the ground was empty, a scourging dressing of 

 fresh gas-lime would probably clear the pests ; but commonly 

 they lie by their food-plants, which would be killed by such 

 treatment. 



Skimming off the uppermost four inches of soil for about 

 a foot in front of the walls on which the trees were infested 

 would be worth trying as an experiment, to be carried out 

 further if many maggots were found ; by throwing some of 

 the removed earth into a large tub of water it would be seen 

 directly whether there were either maggots or beetles i^resent. 



Small plants may have their roots washed out, and thus 

 be saved ; but the ground on which they grow should be 

 thoroughly dealt with at once. A full handful of fresh gas- 

 lime put into each hole at once is a good cure for what evil 

 may remain. 



These pests should be looked to on their very first ap- 

 pearance, for, if once established, they are most difficult to 

 firet rid of. 



