Eighth Report of the State Ei^tomologist. 151 



as the time of oviposition had passed, Avhich would be before the 

 blossoms had fallen, the blossoms could be sprayed with some sub- 

 stance that would blight them, when the larvae, being left without 

 their food, would die. In the discussion of this proposed remedy by 

 the Entomological Club of the A. A. A. S. at its recent Washington 

 meeting, Mr. Fletcher, Entomologist and Botanist of the Government 

 Experimental Farms of the Dominion of Canada, suggested that the 

 blighting might be done by the arsenites, and preferably, by London 

 purple on account of its causticity; but if there was possibility that 

 honey bees visiting the blossoms might be injured thereby, sulphate 

 of copper might be used instead.* 



A few years' sacrifice of the Lawa-ence j^earcrop, in the above man- 

 ner, should tend largely toward the reduction in numbers of the midge. 

 It is pi'obable that the other pears do not offer as favorable conditions 

 for its multiplication. Should the Dana's Hovey, or some other variety 

 hereafter be found almost as attractive as the Lawrence, it also, in turn, 

 might be given the same treatment. When by this means the insects 

 have been largely reduced, it W'Ould not be difficult to control the 

 attack by hand-picking and burning. 



Another means of destroying the insect after it has left the tree is 

 this : The larv*, upon dropping to the ground, enter it to the mod- 

 erate depth of an inch or two, where they remain in their larval stage 

 for two or three weeks before they inclose themselves within their 

 cocoons. At this time thej^ could be reached and killed by si^raying 

 over the ground directly beneath the trees a sti'ong kerosene emulsion. 

 Experiment and examination w^ould show the maximum amount of the 

 liquid required. The cost of this would be very slight in comparison 

 with the value of the pears saved. Or the same end would probably 

 be attained by spreading lime or ashes on the ground, to be carried 

 into it either by the rain or by sprinkling with water. Of course, if 

 these measures were delayed until after the larvse were sheltered 

 within their cocoons, their efficacy would be impaired. It must also be 

 evident that if this destructive pest is to be controlled, that just so far 

 as it is found to have extended, all pear growers should unite in an 

 earnest effort for its extermination. A golden opportunity was lost 

 while it was limited to the Coe Brothers' orchard at Meriden, but it 

 seems to be quite practicable to prevent its spread much beyond its 

 present range. 



* Canadian Entomologist, xxiii, 1891, p. 224. 



