44 Second Report on Economic Zoology. 



lip this pernicious weed; 'although the land looks as if cut up by 

 shell-fire, no damage is done to the gooseberry or other bush fruit, 

 whilst it is speedily cleared of the vegetal encumbrauces, not to 

 mention the innumerable insect pests, as Gooseberry Sawfly and the 

 others previously mentioned. 



Pear Midge. 



{Diplods lyynvora. Riley.) 



A communication was received in February from Mr. N. D, 

 Berry, of Scarbutts Manor, Boughton, near Faversham, as follows : — 



" Our Hazel Pears were last year very badly attached by the 

 I'ear Midge. Unfortunately, being busy, an application of Kainit 

 at tlie time was overlooked. Can I check them this year before the 

 damage is done, or must I now wait until the diseased pears are 

 ready to fall and then destroy them ] " 



The following reply was sent : — 



" Unfortunately we do not know any certain means of checking 

 the Pear Midge (Dtplo-'^is jvjrivoni). Kainit does good according to 

 one report ; another says no use. Personally I have found it of great 

 benefit if applied at the right time. 



" Now (February) you are too late to use it. You might try a 

 lieavy dressing of soot put on about the second week in June. 

 Ti'evious to this the ground imder the trees should be heavily rolled, 

 \vhicli will prevent many of the delicate flies escaping from the soil. 



" I tried last year heavy waterings with paraffin emulsion around 

 the known affected trees, but this only met with partial success owing 

 to the smell of the oil soon going. I thinlc soot most likely to do 

 good put on just before the flies escape." 



The pear crop having been almost nil in this country during the 

 past season, this pest must surely be checked. 



"Woolly Aphis. 



(SeJiizoneura lanigcra, Haus.) 



Some apple twigs sent by Mrs. Durham, of Ellerdale Pioad, 

 Fitzjohn Avenue, N.W., were attacked by the Woolly Aphis, the so- 

 called American Blight, ScMzoneura htni<icra. The following reply 

 was sent: " It is a serious pest in both old and young apple trees, 

 and shoidd l)e destroyed as soon as detected in an orchard. This 

 niay be done by spraying early in tlie year (February) with caustic 



