4::8 Journal of Agriciillnrc, Yiciorla. [lo July. 191 2. 



Woolly Aphis or American Blight — Schizoneura lanigera {^Hausman). 

 - — ^This aphis is one of the greatest pests the apple-grower has to contend 

 with. If detected in the nursery, no time should be lost in dealing with 

 it. 'J'he presence of woollv aphis is easily detected by the white woolly 

 matter produced by the insects, such matter forming a protective covering, 

 beneath which the aphides cluster and, carry on their work. When com- 

 mencing operations, thev usually choose the under or sheltered side of the 

 branches or twigs close to or around the buds, gradually extending along 

 the whole branch or twig. By forcing a beak or sucker intj the bark, they 

 are enabled to live upon the plant sap. The irritation produced by this 

 piercing operation causes swellings or excrescences to form, eventually 

 spoiling the tree. Fig. (71) shows the result of a neglected attack. Under 

 and upper view of growths. 



Treatment. — In a well-conducted nursery this pest should give little 

 or no trouble. If its presence should be detected during the vegetative 

 period of .the young trees, first paint the parts attacked with a brush 

 dipped into kerosene emulsion, and then spray thoroughly, using the emul- 

 sion I part to 10 of water. Place the nozzle of the sprayer close up to 

 the disease, driving the emulsion on with force so as to break down the 

 woolly barrier, and get the emulsion well into the insects ; follow up the 

 first application l)y another the same day. If any trees should be badiv 

 attacked, cut them out, and burn and spray those in the immediate vicinity. 

 If attacked in late autumn, or during the winter, use red oil or crude 

 petroleum oil emulsion instead — strength, red oil, i in 25 ; crude petroleum, 

 I in 20. This pest should be practically unknown in a nursery during 

 the winter, and no trees should leave the nursery affected by it. Anv 

 grower or propagator who fails to treat it during the summer, or when 

 the trees are vegetating, has very little chance of keeping it in check. 

 Upon rare occasions, the woolly aphis has been found attacking the peai 

 Bryobia Mite {Red Spider). — Usually, the propagator of fruit trees 

 gives this insect but litle thought, owing, no doubt, to. the fact that it 

 causes little or no check to growth, and to all appearance does no harm. 

 Therefore, why worry? But the orchardist has a different tale to tell. 

 The life history of this spider is simple. Small round red eggs are de- 

 posited in thousands around the collars of the branches, buds, 

 and in cracks and crevices of the trees during the late 

 spring and summer months. These hatch in early spring, the 

 hatching beling largely influenced by the weather and the sap flow. 

 The eggs deposited upon trees that vegetate early hatch sooner than those 

 upon the later varieties. On emerging from the eggs, small reddish- 

 coloured mites swarm upon the young and tender foliage, and the ex- 

 panding blooms. They suck up the natural juices, thus causing the foliage 

 to become sickly, yellowi-sh in colour, and the edges of the leaves to dry 

 and curl. Instead of the trees producing strong, bold blooms, the organs 

 of the blossoms are weakened, and the setting of the fruit is interfered 

 with. When badly attacked in the spring or early summer, the foliage 

 has a scorched look. If trees in the nursery rows are attacked, and no 

 steps be taken to eradicate "this pest, it simply means that the onus of fight- 

 ing it will eventuallv fall on the grower. 



Treatment. — The best time to attack is when the insects are hatched and 

 moving about. Use soft soap and tobacco water, or tobacco water by 

 it.self, or kerosene emulsion — the latter i in 15 of water. Drive the spray 

 well into the insects, following up the application at weekly intervals if 

 necessarv. For a winter application use red oil or crude petroleum oil 



