252 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



Canker WORMS have been complained of as usual in many localities, and the 

 importance of early spraying while the caterpillars are very small has been again shown. 

 Two or three correspondents mention t' at they have been unable to control this insect, 

 even when spraying with a mixture strong enough to burn the foliage. A very serious 

 out-break occurred in Pelham township, Monck County, Ont., and another near 

 Frederioton, N.B. 



The Cigar Case-bearer {Coleophora Fletcherella, Fernald) has been mentioned by 

 correspondents in all provinces in Eastern Canada, but no complaints of serious attack 

 have been received. Mr. Harold Jones, of Maitland, Grenville Co., Ont., noticed the 

 young Case-bearers moving from their winter resting places out to the buds on 2nd May 

 last. He sprayed at once wich the kerosene emulsion (Riley-Hubbard formula), 1 to 12, 

 with the result of practically clearing his orchard of this insect. 



The Oyster-shell Bark-louse (^Mytilaspis pomorum, Bouch^) continues to trouble 

 the apple grower in many districts. It occurs in every province of the Dominion and 

 spreads rapidly, particularly in neglected orchards. 



" Baddeck Forks, Victoria Co., JST.S. — The scale insect is the greatest pest. All our 

 apple trees will be killed in a few years more if we cannot stop its ravages." — A. B. 

 Watsok. 



" Nappan, Cumberland Co., N.S. — The apple tree bark-lice give me the most trouble 

 I used kerosene emulsion twice in June, but theie are still many on the trees. Do you 

 think the application now of a mixture made up as follows would not be advisable : 

 concentrated lye, 3|- lbs.; fish oil, 1 gallon ; water, 8 gallons ? It seems impossible to 

 get kerosene emulsion to all parts of the tree when in foliage. I do not think they are 

 troubled much with this pest in the Annapolis valley ; at least, I never noticed many 

 there. But, all through the country where I have been, trees are being killed or at 

 least stunted by the bark-louse." — W. S. Blair. 



" Berwick, King's Co., N.S. — As usual the bark-louse gains ground on trees that 

 are not in good cultivation. Alkaline washes which are recommended will clean the trees 

 up completely, and I think that the thorough applications annually will also prevent 

 the work of the shot-borer (Xyleborus dispar, Fab.)." — S. C. Parker. 



" Alberton, P.E.I. — If we cannot soon get means to destroy the Oyster-shell Bark- 

 louse, we shall have to give up raising apple trees." — John T. Weeks. 



" Lakeville, P.E.I. — Please send me receipt for wash to destroy bark-lice on apple 

 trees. They are fast destroying our trees." — John J. McInnis. 



"Freeman, Halton Co., Ont. — The Oyster-shell Bark-louse has had its day in this 

 district. There are but few left, and these only on neglected trees. Ten years ago they 

 threatened to sap the life out of the orchards." — A. W. Peart. 



The recognized remedies for the Oyster-shell Bark -louse are spraying the trees, before 

 the buds burst and again in June when the young are moving, with the Riley-Hubbard 

 kerosene emulsion (1 to 9). At the same time a healthy, vigorous growth should be 

 induced by judicious pruning of the trees, manuring the roots and cultivating the soil. 



Several instances have been brought to my notice, which would indicate that trees 

 badly infested with the Oyster-shell Bark-lice, after having been sprayed with Bordeaux 

 mixture, were much freer from these insects. This was possibly due to the fact that 

 twigs bearing a coating of Bordeaux mixture were thereby rendered distasteful or 

 unsuitable for the young bark-lice when seeking a spot to settle. 



The Pear-tree Slug (Ericcavfipa cerasi, Peck J, has been very abundant in Ontario, 

 Quebec and British Columbia. I cannot help thinking that the reason this pest of the 

 pear, plum and cherry is so prevalent every year, is that the late broods are neglected. 

 Spraying with the standard mixture of Paris preen (1 pound in 200 gallons of water 

 with 1 pound of fresh lime) is always fatal to the larvce. 



" Grimsby, Ont. — The Pear-tree Slug has been more destructive than usual. It has 

 skeletonized the leaves of the pear, plum and common cherry trees, and, where it has 

 ■been left unchecked, has done a great deal of damage in stunting the growth of the 



