66 THE DICTIONARY 
APPLE AND PEAR BLIGHT.—All sorts and 
conditions of trees are popularly supposed to be susceptible 
to “blight.” The name has been handed down from the 
Dark Ages to indicate certain conditions of plants, such as 
those which have died away almost entirely as if blasted, 
but the true cause of which to the average individual is 
obscure. By many certain atmospheric conditions are 
thought to be entirely due to blight; while in country 
places, Aphides are collectively spoken of as blight. Fungi, 
strange to say, though frequently the cause of decay in 
trees, are less often suspected. Indeed, there are very 
large numbers who will not believe that the condition, 
generally known as Canker in Apple Trees, is due to a 
most insidious fungus, which finds its way into bark 
wounds and quickly spreads. 
In North America, however, there is a condition 
of Apple and Pear Trees which has earned for itself 
the popular appellation above adopted. It is due to a most 
destructive disease, supposed to be brought about by the 
presence of bacteria. Apple and Pear Trees are commonly 
attacked; but the disease by no means restricts itself to 
such, being found upon many of the ornamental species of 
the genus Pyrus and its very near allies. Burrill, of 
Illinois, made some extensive investigations, and published 
the result of such in the “ American Naturalist” of 1881, 
He has been followed by several able workers in the same 
field, one of the most exhaustive reports appearing in the 
“Year Book of the United States’ Department-of Agri- 
culture for 1895.” It was contributed by Mr. Warlie. 
Still, it cannot be said for certain that Apple and 
Pear Blight is due to bacteria. 
The indications are first seen on the bark. They are 
small dead patches, which increase rapidly in size, and 
involve maybe the whole of the tree. There is a wholesale 
exudation of the sap, and trees so attacked present a most 
unhealthy appearance, what with the dead portions and 
the partial or entire defoliation which occurs. Hartig 
says that “the disease appears to bear resemblance to 
the tree-canker produced by Nectria ditissima, and as 
in the case of this fungus, large numbers of small gonidia, 
resembling bacteria, are produced in the cortex.” Though 
the disease is at present confined to America, it is of 
such a virulent nature that its chief symptoms, at any 
rate, should be known to pomologists. Removal and 
burning of the diseased portions is the way to preyent 
the spread of the disease. 
APPLE APHIS (Aphis mali). 
APPLE-BAREK BEETLE (Xyleborus dispar; 
Bostrichus dispar). Under this somewhat inappropriate 
name are known in gardens some destructive little 
Beetles of a dark brown or, in some cases, of an almost 
black colour, found upon Apple, Pear, Plum, and other 
trees. The injury they do is considerable, though the work 
of destruction is not in evidence until the affected branches 
or stems are opened, disclosing the numerous galleries. 
These galleries if examined will be found coated with 
a whitish substance, out of which grows a fungus, upon 
which they feed; this is called Ambrosia. The Beetles 
differ considerably as to size and form, the females (tin.) 
being much larger than the males, which are not as often in 
evidence. It is only of recent years that this species has 
appeared in sufficient numbers to be troublesome. The 
insects are on the wing in late spring, and the female 
then selects-a suitable branch in which to bore and 
deposit her eggs. Both young and old, healthy and 
weakly, trees are selected; and the Beetles may be sus- 
pected if the shot-like holes (responsible for the very ap- 
propriate name of “‘ Shot-Borers”’) are noticed. Such holes 
are really the exits from their galleries, just as are the 
so-called “wormholes” of another destructive Beetle, 
commonly found in furniture. 
Beetles which feed protected in the interior of tree- 
trunks and branches are not readily reached by the 
See Aphides. 
OF GARDENING, 
Apple-Bark Beetle—continued. 
ordinary insecticides. In America, where the Beetle is 
terribly destructive, the stopping up of their exit-holes is 
recommended, using a wash made of soft soap and a strong 
solution of washing soda in water of the consistency of 
paint. This (says the Report of the Entomologist to the 
Canadian Agricultural Department) should be applied on 
the morning of a warm day, when it will dry in a few 
hours, forming a tenacious coating. 
APPLE-BLOSSOM WEEVIL (Anthonomus pomo- 
rum). Though small (about 5mm.) this insect (Fig. 64) 
is very destructive at times to the unexpanded blossom 
buds of Apple and Pear in early 
spring. Notwithstanding the num- 
ber of improved methods for coping 
with certain Beetles which have 
been introduced within recent years, 
there is no better way of dealing 
with this pest than by shaking or 
jarring infested trees, killing all the 
Beetles whicl are found, and burn- 
ing all withered blossoms, as such 
are likely to contain the insect in 
some stage of its existence. In 
winter, too, the old bark may be 
removed and burnt, and the trunk 
sprayed with the potash and soda 
preparation advocated for Ameri- 
can Blight. Where the soil can be constantly moved 
it is of great benefit to allow poultry to run .amongst 
the trees, and if these are vigorously shaken while the 
larvee are in the blossoms numbers will be dislodged and 
be devoured by the poultry. 
APPLE GALL. See Vine Galls. 
APPLE, GOLDEN. Sce Zigle. 
APPLE MAGGOT (Trypeta pomonella). This insect 
has only within recent years asserted itself in numbers. 
It belongs to the Diptera. In America it is one of the 
pests which Apple-growers have to reckon with, and in 
some seasons it has proved very destructive. In ap- 
pearance the perfect insect might well pass for a small 
house-fly, were it not that its brilliant and prominent 
eyes at once differentiated it from that household pest. 
The general body-colour is black, with whitish dots and 
bands, which latter also traverse the wings. The female 
may be distinguished from her mate by the flat ovipositor. 
These small insects are upon the wing in early 
summer. The Apples are at that time of good size. The 
eggs are laid one at a time, the female piercing the skin 
of the fruit with her sharp ovipositor; and as she is 
estimated to lay on the average some 300 or 400 eggs, 
the amount of harm a few of these flies is capable of 
working may be readily recognised. The eggs hatch out 
in from four to six days, and the larve are full-fed in 
about as many weeks. They at once begin to feed upon 
the food ready to hand, and the work of the half-grown 
maggots is well shown in Fig. 65,a. When mature they 
assume the chrysalis state, either just beneath the surface 
of the ground, or frequently, in the case of stored fruit, 
in the bins or barrels, emerging as perfect insects at the 
time stated. The insects are difficult to combat, and re- 
course must be had to preventive measures, such as the 
collection of all fallen fruit, and the burning of all accu- 
mulations from bins, barrels, and store-rooms. Those 
interested in the study of this insect will find it fully 
dealt with by Professor F. L. Harvey, in the Annual 
Report of the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station 
in 1890, and two of whose admirable figures are here 
reproduced. See Fig. 65. 
APPLE OR CODLIN MOTH (Carpocapsa pomo- 
nella). Everyone practically is acquainted with the mag- 
goty condition of Apples, for which the Codlin Moth is 
ay 
Fic. 64. APPLE BLos- 
SOM WEEVIL (Antho- 
nomus pomorum.) 
