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372 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.  _ 
ENEMIES OF THE WILLOW. pa: 
The large willow saw fly is an insect which has done most of the — 
damage to our willows, but it is very easily overcome by the use of — 
a spraying apparatus. Upon page 384 of the Minnesota Farmers’ 
Institute Annual, notice is made of a spraying pump, called “The 
Empire King,’ manufactured by the Field Force Pump Co., 86 Mar- 
ket Square, Lockport, N. Y. We make mention of this pump be- 
cause it is such a well constructed spraying outfit. It is strong, effi- 
cient and of good workmanship. A pump like this, or similar to it, 
should be owned in every neighborhood upon the prairies, in order 
to successfully destroy this willow saw fly and another insect, that 
we will soon refer to, The name “saw fly,” as applied to this insect» 
is apt to be misleading, as this pest will usually be noticed when it 
is in the form of a large worm, of a greenish yellow color, that rap- 
idly eats the leaves, leaving the branches of the willow bare and un- 
sightly. This worm, as we will now cail it, can be very easily de- 
stroyed by using one-quarter of a pound of Paris green in fifty gal- 
lons of water, and by means of the spraying pump referred to 
throwing this mixture upon the hedge. This work is very rapidly 
done, and usually one application will destroy the pest; but if there 
be any residue, a second application will certainly make it effectual 
for the season. A few days after the application of the Paris green, 
those worms will be found lying under the willows, dead and dying. 
The aphides, or plant lice, are insects which cause far greater 
trouble than the saw fly. They multiply so rapidly that in a few 
days they spread over a large area, sucking the sap from the 
limbs of the willows to that extent that it causes the leaves to drop 
upon the ground. If they are allowed to have their way for any 
length of time, they will certainly destroy the life of the willow by 
robbing it of its sap. They do their injury during the busy season 
of harvest and multiply rapidly during those hot days. As soon 
as one observes that the willows have thin spots in their foliage, 
then there should bea careful looking into the cause; and if these 
lice are found upon the bark, as they probably will be, the spraying 
pump should be called into use at once—not waiting a day—and 
apply the kerosene emulsion, which is made as follows: 
KEROSENE EMULSION 
Kerosene, one gallon; soft water, one-half gallon; soap, one-half pound. 
Boil the soap in the water untilit dissolves, and while boiling turn in the kero- 
sene and churn it thoroughly withasyringe or force pump for five minutes, 
when it will be of asmooth creamy nature. Asit coolsit thickens intoa jelly- 
like mass. This gives the stock emulsion, which must be diluted with nine 
times its amount of water before being used on vegetables. All insects breathe 
through smal! holes along their sides. The effect of kerosene emulsion is to 
suffocate them by closing up these pores. 
We will add to the foregoing that at times it will be found well that 
this stock emulsion should be diluted with only one-half the amount 
of water mentioned. In other words, make the application of double 
strength. 
By following the directions we have herein given, we can see no 
reason why the homestead and its surroundings may not have this 
first protection against the prevailing winds, and within their 
sheltering arms there can be grown the more enduring evergreens 
and some of the graceful deciduous trees, and with them many 
fruits for our homes. 
