206 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



8-9 EDWARD VII., A, 1909 



The above reports are very satisfactory and the fruit growers of Nova Scotia are 

 to be congratulated on the energy which has been shown by the above officials who 

 have recognized the importance of this infestation and have acted promptly and 

 energetically. It must he remembered, however, that the insect had become widely 

 spread through the orchards of the province, that many of these are thickly planted 

 and closely surrounded by forests or strips of wild native trees, and that this is a very 

 difficult insect to control. It is almost too much to hope that the Brown-tail Moth 

 can have been exterminated even by the energetic efforts which have been directed 

 against it and every fruit grower in the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Bruns- 

 wick should promptly send either to Prof. Curmning at Truro, or to this Division, 

 specimens of any strange caterpillars they may find on their trees and particulai'ly 

 when these are occurring in large numbers during the summer, or gathered together in 

 nests composed of leaves spun together with silk during the winter months. The only 

 kind of caterpillar which is likely to be found in colonies inside such nests, is that 

 of the Brown-tail Moth. These pass the winter as small caterpillars, only one-quarter 

 of an inch in length and there are from 200 to 300 '"^irie each nest. The caterpillars 

 themselves are black, but are covered with rusty hairs but they can be at once recog- 

 nized by two conspicuous orange cushion-like tubercles on the top of the 10th and 11th 

 segments towards the end of the body. 



Remedies. — The remedies for this dangerous enemy are the collection of the winter 

 nests of the caterpillars and the systematic spraying of all orchards during the sum- 

 mer. For tliis iDurposo the poisoned Bordeaux mixture is the best remedy and will 

 control at the same time the Brown-tail Moth and all other leaf eating caterpillars, 

 and will reduce better than any other known remedy, the fungous disease known as 

 the Black Spot of the Apple and Pear, which frequently does great injury to the 

 important apple crop of the Maritime Provinces. As the Cankerworm is a frequent 

 and destructive pest in Nova Scotian orchards, one spraying should always be done 

 within two or three days after the apple blossoms fall. At that time the Cankerworm 

 can be more easily destroyed than at any other time, but if it is left unmolested until 

 half grown it is extremely resistant to the effects of arsenical poisoning. As poisons 

 for the above purpose, arsenate of lead and Paris green are probably the best. Of the 

 arsenate of lead there are several brands in the market and the material can also be 

 made at home, but for convenience and effectiveness probably the manufactured 

 article is the most satisfactory, because it is not only put up in very convenient pack- 

 •jges but the chemicals Yfith which arsenate of lead is made, are sometimes variable in 

 quality, whereas in the large factories these materials are tested carefully to see if 

 they are up to standard. When using Paris green in Bordeaux mixture, one pound 

 may be used in 100 gallons of the Bordeaux mixture. This is stronger than is actually 

 required, but the lime in Bordeaux mixture will neutralize the caustic effects of the 

 arsenate and the Brown-tail Moth is a very serious pest which must be dealt with, 

 with drastic measures, and the same may be said of the Cankerworm. Arsenate of 

 lead should be used at the rate of three pounds of the paste to a 40-gallon cask of 

 Bordeaux mixture. It may be well to warn fruit growers against using arsenites in 

 what is known as the soda-Bordeaux mixture, more properly called Burgundy mixture. 

 The true Bordeaux mixture is made with lime and for all ordinary purposes on fruit 

 trees the amount recommended is 4 lbs. of bluestone, 4 lbs. of unslacked lime, 4 ounces 

 of Paris green and 40 gallons of water, but for certain pests more Paris green is 

 advisable and by increasing the amount of lime a little it becomes a safe application 

 for orchard trees while the leaves are young and vigorous, but the arsenites should 

 always be applied in ibe vonl Borrleaux mixture made with lime and not with the soda- 

 Bordeaux. 



In the report of the Chemist of the Experimental Farms for 1905, at page 149, 

 will be founri on article on the Chemistry of Insecticides and Fungicides. In the con- 

 clusions of Mr. Shutt's experiments the matter is summed up as follows : ' Burgundy 

 mixture pure and simple has shown itself as far as our experiments have gone, to be 



