56 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 



their wings, were freed from the pest and not since injured to any appreciable extent. 

 As these insects feed on the lower side of the leaves, it is necessary, in order to reach 

 them with a spray, to attach the nozzle to a short joint of pipe about a foot long, 

 having an angle of about 45 degrees in it. This can be made by any blacksmith. 

 The severity of the outbreak of this insect in 1908, was doubtless much aggravated 

 by the exceptional drought and heat which weakened the plants and made them more 

 than usually susceptible to injury by the Apple Leaf-hopper and other insects. 



The following letters will give some idea of the extent of the injury done by the 

 Apple Leaf-hopper. 



' Aultsville, Ont., July 30, 1908. — The potato crop in this vicinity is attacked by 

 a very small green fly, which is present in enormous numbers and doing much damage. 

 They appear to work under the leaf, with the result that the leaves curl up and finally 

 die. — John H. Croil.' 



' Almonte, Ont., July 30. — I send a sample of some of our potato tops. Is it a 

 blight, or is it a trouble caused by the extreme heat? The trouble appears to effect 

 the older leaves first in most cases, as there will be more or less appearance of it near 

 the base of the stalk while the top is very thrifty and green. — J. K. Darling.' 



The potato tops were carefully examined on arrival, and they showed the injury 

 caused by the Apple Leaf-hopper. 



' Ottawa, Ont., July 30. — A little green fly is killing our scarlet runner beans. 

 Please tell me what will destroy it. — A. R. Ralph/ 



' Perth, Ont., August 1. — The potatoes in this vicinity are badly infested with a 

 small green insect. We should like to get some information concerning this pest. — 

 R. S. Hamer.' 



' Lakefield, Ont., August 31. — I am writing in reference to the widespread failure 

 of the potato crop in our county — Peterborough. The weather has been favourable, 

 though rather dry in August. The potato beetle has been kept in check, and in some 

 cases plants have been sprayed with Bordeaux mixture, but the tops have withered 

 and the tubers are small. On a visit to Bobcaygeon, I found the same conditions 

 there fl One grower here says that the plants have been destroyed by little green bugs. 

 — A. W. MacKenzie.' 



Reports of great damage to potatoes and other vegetables were received from 

 other points in Ontario and Quebec. Mr. Harold Jones, of Maitland, Ont., called 

 at the Division on August 22, and reported that the leaf-hopper was very bad on 

 potatoes in his district. He gave an instance of where nine potatoes only were 

 gathered from nine hills. The presence of this insect in injurious numbers was also 

 reported from northern points in New York State. 



The Destructive Pea Aphis, Nectarophora pisi, Kalt. — Early in August reports 

 were received from correspondents in Ontario and Quebec of serious injury to the 

 pea crop by a large green aphis, which suddenly appeared in enormous numbers. 

 From specimens received, and from an investigation in the Ottawa district, it was 

 soon seen that the insect at work was the destructive Pea Aphis. This plant-louse is 

 pale green, with legs darkened, particularly at the joints, and has long honey tubes. 

 It clusters in enormous numbers at the tips of the shoots, beneath the leaves, and, 

 when very numerous, spreads over the whole plants of field peas, as well as upon the 

 flowering Sweet Peas. These insects, as already mentioned, appear suddenly in large 

 numbers, and very soon kill the plants by sucking their sap. The winged specimens 

 are rather large for plant lice, being about one-eighth of an inch in length, with a 

 wing expanse of nearly one-quarter of an inch. 



' Lysander, Que., August 7, 1908. — I send specimens of a pale green insect which 

 are covering my field peas. The plants are turning red and are withering up. — 

 T. W. Longmoor.' 



' Bedford Park, Ont., August 3. — A green insect has appeared on the pea crop 

 in this neighbourhood. Some of the farmers are weeping and wailing because they 



