240 ^^^^m EXPERIMEXTAL FARMS. 



64 VICTORIA, A. 190T 



operate early, because the eggs are laid early. In May, 1899, 1 visited a large Dwarf 

 Duchess orchard belonging to Mr. Henry Lutz, of Youngstown, 'New York State. 

 In 1896 this block of trees had been almost ruined by Psylla. In February, 1897, the 

 whole block was sprayed heavily with lime, which destroyed the insect so completely 

 that when I saw the trees two years after they appeared very healthy indeed.' 



The Red-humped Apple-tree Caterpillar (Oedemasia coneinna, S. & A.). — 

 Specimens of these caterpillars were sent from Kaslo, B.C., by Mr. J. W. Cockle. 

 They were very prevalent at the time in apple orchards. 



The Pear-leaf Blister Mite (Phytoptus pyri, Sheuten). — Several inquiries about 

 this have been received from British Columbia. Mr. Palmer reports : ' This insect 

 continues to be a very persistent pest, and is quite generally distributed through the 

 province. It is easily kept down by the use of the lime, salt and sulphur spray used 

 in winter, but is difficult to exterminate and will reappear if spraying is neglected.' 



The Black Vine Weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus, Fab.). — Occasional references 

 to injuries by this beetle have been made, chiefly to garden plants and in greenhouses 

 in British Columbia. The beetle is not uncommon on the sea shore in Nova Scotia, 

 but no injury to crops of any kind has ever been reported from that province until 

 the past season, when specimens and an account of serious injury were received from 

 Mr. J. H. Churchill, of Westport, N.S. Strawberry beds have been injured for many 

 years, and among the samples received were several plants which were attacked, not 

 only by the Black Vine Weevil, but also badly by the Strawberry Root-borer (Anarsia 

 Uneatella, Zeller), fortunately an uncommon enemy in Canada. This injury has been 

 going on for about six years, during which time Mr. Churchill estimates his loss in 

 strawberries at $1,500. In British Columbia, Mr. Tom Wilson, of Vancouver, observed 

 another occurrence of the Black Vine Weevil, where considerable injury was done to 

 strawberry plants and primroses. In Europe this beetle is knoAvn to be a troublesome 

 pest of grapes, strawberries, raspberries, mangels and primroses, but up to the present 

 time nothing of importance has been recorded against it on this continent. The 

 strawberry plants sent by Mr. Churchill from Nova Scotia on July 8, contained grubs 

 and pupae of the beetles, and in another parcel received on September 19, there were 

 grubs, pupae, and beetles, some of the latter being immature, but a few perfectly 

 coloured. The only remedy which can be suggested for this beetle as yet is the 

 planting of strawberries in new ground, and frequent renewal of the beds, the worst 

 injuries being done to old plants. 



In this connection I may add that j\[r. W. T. Macoun, the Horticulturist of the 

 Central Experimental Farm, tells me that he considers the single crop method of 

 growing strawberries the one which pays best, the fruit being finer and the land being 

 kept clean much more easily. Some varieties which do not make runners freely should 

 be left for two years. 



Nepticula (Micropteryx) pomivorella, Pack. — This interesting little insect has 

 been more than usually abundant in western Ontario during the last two years, and a 

 large series of specimens have been reared. The larva is a leaf miner, but when full 

 grown, leaves the mines and spins small cocoons on the twigs of apple trees, in which 

 it passes the winter. It has been lately discovered by Mr. A. Busck, of Washington, 

 that this insect, wdiich was described as a Micropteryx, is a true Nepticula. 



The Lesser Apple Worm (Semasia prunivora, Walsh). — Mr. R. M. Palmer 

 reports that this insect occurred in nearly all the fruit-growing districts of British 

 Columbia excepting the Okanagan valley, but in smaller numbers than in 189S-9. He 

 draws attention to the fact that this pest is still often mistaken for the true Codling 

 Moth, by fruit-growers, but he is pleajsed to report that the latter has not occurred 

 in any part of the province, although watched for carefull3\ A most rigorous inspec- 



