184 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5-6 EDWARD VII., A 1906 



apply the liquid with considerable force and also to have it mixed with hot 'mater 

 which gives it greater penetrating power. A kerosene emulsion may be made for this 

 purpose, of the standard Kiley-Hubbard emulsion diluted with .six, instead of nine 

 parts of wiater. Whale-oil soap solution should be applied hot and one pound in five 

 gallons of water. 



The Apple Maggot [Rhagoletes (Trypeta) pomonella, Walsh]. — In the autumn 

 of 1904 an outbreak of the Apple Maggot, known also in the New England States as 

 * the railroad worm,' was detected in some of the apple orchards at Ck)mo, Que. During 

 the past season it has been, found that the insect has established itseK in many other 

 orchards surrounding the first point of injury. 



As there are several large and valuable orchards in this locality, much anxiety 

 was felt by the owners of these, that the habits of the insect and the best remedial 

 treatment should be made known to all apple growers of the district, so that by con- 

 certed action the outbreak should be controlled before more loss accrued. With this 

 object in view, I visited Como early in October, and examined several of the orchards 

 under the guidance of Mr. E.. W. Shepherd, who kindly put himself at my disposal 

 end accompanied me, and also helped me in many other ways to get into touch with 

 the owners of several orchards. 



One of Mr. Shepherd's own orchards had been affected last year, and this summer 

 he had faithfully carried out suggestions of control based on the experience of those 

 who had suffered from the Apple Maggot in other places. 



All windfalls had been fed to cattle, and a herd of pigs had been kept in the 

 orchard throughout the summer. It may be well, however, to point out, as the ex- 

 periment will be anxiously watched by his neighbours, that some badly affected crab 

 apple trees were in a sense overlooked, the fruit of which was thoroughly infested at 

 the time of my visit. It would appear that the fruit of this class of apples does not 

 fall from the trees when attacked, to the same extent as the larger apples. At that 

 time, however, Mr. Shepherd at once had the fruit of these trees threshed from the 

 boughs and destroyed. A circular letter giving the nature of the pest and advice as to 

 the best treatment of infested orchards was at once prepared and a copy sent to every 

 apple grower in the district. Notwithstanding the severity of the outbreak, the ex- 

 perience of others who have suffered loss from the Apple Maggot, would seem to give 

 reasonable ground for hope that much may be done to reduce loss. The following 

 letters from the State Entomologists of Maine and New Hampshire respectively, show 

 that good results have followed the adoption of the best, so far, recognized method of 

 prevention. The insect has been present in these States for some years. 



* Agricultural Experiment Station, Orono, Me. — Your letter concerning the Apple 

 Maggot is received. There seems to be no marked change from year to year in the 

 occurrence of this pest here. We have in the State numerous orchards in which the 

 trees have not been pruned for a generation at least and in which the windfalls lie 

 ungathered. The owners of such orchards frequently complain that the trees might 

 as well be cut down, for the " Railroad Worm " gets all the apples. On the other hand, 

 none of the leading orchardists seem to feel that the case is hopeless. They recognize 

 the Apple Maggot as a pest to guard against and believe that care in putting the wind- 

 falls out of the way is the only practical method of doing it. Thus, it is no uncommon 

 situation to have well cared for orchards where infestation by R. pomonella is almost 

 unknown, while within a few miles the owners of neglected trees say that for years 

 they have not gathered a crop. There is one notable case of this sort in the southern 

 part of the State, where in the midst of an infested area a very large orchard ships 

 perfect apples every fall and no loss is caused by the maggot. 



' A few successful orchardists think it pays to keep a few sweet apple trees 

 scattered about as traps, as the flies seem always to deposit in these by preference ; and 

 the whole situation is sometimes handled by sacrificing some sweet fruit and sub- 

 sequently destroying this infested lot. I trust that the outbreak near Montreal will 

 not prove so serious as it seems at present.' — Edith M. Patch. 



