120 [Assembly, 



and body between the wings, black, with a grass-green body, dotted 

 with black on the sides, and yellowish legs with black feet and 

 knees. The wings are long, green next the body, transparent, 

 with few veins and a single black spot near the tip. 



It is probable that these aphides are not newcomers in the 

 orchards where they are now abounding. It would be difficult any- 

 where to find an apple tree entirely free from them. Yet it is only 

 occasionally that they abound to such an extent as to arrest attention 

 at this season ot the year. In 1882 they were very abundant in 

 several portions of New York State, as in Wayne, Oswego and 

 Monroe counties, and caused serious injury to the apple crop. 



In the event that the cold and heavy rainfall, which at the date 

 of the present writing (May eighth) we have been experiencino- for 

 the last twelve hours in Albany, with no indication of its speedy 

 cessation, shall extend into Vermont, there is every probability that 

 it will arrest this aphis attack and its threatened injury. If so, it 

 will not be one of the least benefits to result from its coming at 

 this time. Throughout a large portion ot the State of New York 

 this aphis has abounded during the past three weeks and justly 

 alarmed our orchardists. To those who have made inquiry of me 

 for instruction how best to destroy the pest, I have promised relief 

 through such a rain, should we be favored with it, as that which is 

 now visiting us. In localities which it does not reach, the trees 

 infested should be thoroughly showered with the aid of a force pump. 

 Water alone has been found to be efficient when not thrown as a spray 

 but in a stream. Soap-suds could be applied in spray to admit of 

 its more general distribution ; or a still better application would be 

 a tobacco solution, made by pouring boiling water upon tobacco, 

 in the proportion of a gallon of water to a quarter pound of tobacco. 



Expei'iments have been made which are reported as having been 

 successful, of washing the bark of infested trees with a solution of 

 sal-soda. The aphides were killed or driven away, it is believed, 

 by the alkali having been taken into the circulation, and the sap 

 proving poisonous or distasteful to them. Soft-soap or a very 

 strong suds has also been used in the same manner and with good 

 effect. As in the control of all insect depredations prevention is 

 preferable to cure, it is very desirable that where the apple aphids' 

 attack is continued throughout the year its recurrence the follow- 

 ing year should be prevented by the destruction of the autumnal 



