10 Jan., 1919.] 



Ayple Culture in Victoria. 



33 



Owing to tlie apparent inability of many fruit-growers to realize tlie 

 importance of dealing drastically with pests when first discovered in 

 ihe orchard, the writer would like to emphasize the desirability of giving 

 closer attention to this work, and there is no destructive parasite to 

 which these remarks more fittingly apply than woolly aphis. As the 

 aphides live by suction, it is impracticable to poison their food in the 

 same manner as that of the jaw-feeders, but the. former being soft- 

 bodied, they quickly succumb to the searching influence of caustic liquid 

 substances brought into contact with them. Many such spray mixtures 



Plate 185. — Section of Reinette de Canada tree infested with woolly aphis. 



have been employed in the past, but it is unnecessary to discuss here 

 their relative effectiveness, or otherwise. Suffice to say, that during 

 recent years experience has taught that these mixtures may safely be 

 reduced to two kinds — tobacco wash during the period of vegetation, and 

 red oil emulsion while the trees are in the dormant state. This refers 

 to the necessary spraying treatment, when the attack is general, but, 

 when the aphides occupy only comparatively few isolated positions, as 

 already described, they may be effectively dealt with by painting the 

 parts with kerosene, or eucalyptus oil, which experiments have proved to 

 be quicker in action, and even more deadly in effect. 

 19157.— 2 



