lo June, 191 2.] 



Propagation of Fruit Trees. 



347 



to be the most effective method, particuhirly if the area to be treated is of 

 ■any extent. Besides destroying this pest, the lime is very beneficial to 

 the soil, especially if it is deficient in this constituent. To be effective the 

 lime must fall direct upon the slugs. Once it becomes moist, its power of 

 killing is gone. When liming wear old boots and clothes. Apply lime 

 when the weather is fine and calm, if possible, but remember that delay 

 is dangerous to the buds. 



Suctorial Insects. 



Some of the most difficult insects to eradicate coming under this heading 

 are those known as scale, and belonging to the family Coccidae. Some 

 species confine their attacks chiefly, if not solely, to deciduous trees and 

 plants, whilst others only to evergreen ones. Some species attack many 

 kinds of plant life both evergreen and deciduous. When treating evergreen 

 trees, or any that are vegetative, the operator .should be very careful to use 

 a wash at a strength that will not defoliate or injure the growth of the yojng 

 trees. No wash should be used that is not correctly made and tested, nor 

 applied unless the operator has had 

 previous experience or secures prac- 

 tical advice upon the particular wash 

 to be used. One important factor 

 that should not be o\"erlooked before 

 applying a caustic wash is the physio- 

 logical condition of the tree or plant 

 a I the time it is to be sprayed, such 

 condition varying according to the 

 season, the weather, and the growth. 

 Evergreen trees and plants when 

 fully active and making growth 

 cannot stand the same strength as 

 when in a more dormant stage, or 

 when the weather is cool and equable. 

 With deciduous trees and plants, a 

 far greater strength can be used in 

 the late autumn, or when they have 

 shed their foliage in the winter, than 

 any time during their vegetative period. Two or three somewhat weaker 

 ajjplications given at regular intervals are far more effective, and the risk 

 of causing injury less, than if one application at the ordinary strength is 

 given. 



Olive Scale (Lecaniurn Olcce). — This common scale insect, when 

 fully developed, is hemispherical in shape (see Fig. 70), colour brownish 

 black, is easily detected, and attacks the bark and foliage. Trees and 

 plants badly attacked have a sooty appearance caused by the fungus known 

 as sooty mould {Capnodium Citricolum). This fungus lives upon the 

 sugary secretion from the scale insects. Another indication of attack is the 

 appearance of ants and flies upon the trees or plnnis attacked, in quest of 

 this sugary secretion. It is the commonest scale found attacking the citrus 

 family, is very partial to the pear and quince, and is to be found attacking 

 numerous species of plant life both evergreeii and deciduous. 

 Treatment. — If attacking deciduous trees, seed and stone fruits in the 

 nursery row during their vegetative period, spray with kerosene emulsion, 

 strength, i in 10 or 12. If attacking citrus trees or other hard-foliaged 

 evergreens, spray with resin wash. The best time to spray the citrus is the 

 winter months, and after the spring growth has hardened, and before the 



