HELLEBORE AS AN INSECTICIDE. 81 
the foliage are invariably washed off by rains before any of the 
fruit ripens. 
Another and cheaper method is to syringe with lime- 
water strained through “‘skrim,” with a small quantity of helle- 
bore added. The trees look a little unsightly until the lime is 
washed off by rains, but the expense of either article used 
is exceedingly trivial compared to the good results following. 
The lime solution with a teaspoonful of washing soda added to a 
bucket of water, and applied slightly tepid on calm days, will 
effectually clear apple-trees of the red spider (Tetranychus telarius) 
in twenty-four hours. This does not imply a sprinkling or mere 
wetting of the trees, but a thorough drenching in all cases. 
While the solution is dripping off the trees, we scatter a quantity 
of dry lime over the ground underneath them. This gives the 
finishing touch to all insects washed off the trees with the 
solution. 
In perusing Miss Ormerod’s latest edition of her ‘ Manual,’ 
J am convinced that many, or most, of the remedies recommended 
to be used against injurious insects, &c., would be thoroughly 
effective if only applied in a practical manner. It often occurs 
that men and boys are left to prepare and apply insecticides, and 
on that account we frequently hear of their failure in destroying 
the pests. But so long as the work is done in an indifferent, 
slovenly manner, so long will the labours of practical economic 
entomologists be of little avail. 
In addition to several introduced injurious insects, many 
indigenous species are becoming serious pests, and already we 
have three distinct 'Tortrices attacking the apricot, plum, grape- 
vine, and gooseberry bushes. The two former attack both foliage 
and fruit, eating through the fine shanks of the bunches of grapes, 
and causing them to drop on to the floor. A simple method of 
destroying these larve on gooseberry bushes is the solution 
recommended by Major Still, or the one I use myself. But, to 
people who may object to use either of them, I may mention that 
slaked or unslaked lime scattered under the bushes and the latter 
carefully shaken, and the lime afterwards moistened with a 
syringe, or fine watering-pot, will clear the bushes of great 
numbers of larve. A careful man applying any of these remedies 
would do a considerable amount in a day, and the labour and 
expense would soon be realised in the improved health of the 
trees, and quality of the fruit. 
The whole matter of dealing with garden and agricultural pests 
requires a vigorous application of the remedies recommended. 
When such is sowndly practised the labours of specialists in 
this the most important branch of Entomology will confer lasting 
benefits on the community. 
Ashburton, N.Z., January, 1892, 
