THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



species of aphis is of European origin. 

 The winter eggs hatch early in spring, 

 and the galls which are caused by the 

 young insects usually contain one female 

 with three or four young. The males 

 do not appear until late in the summer. 



Fortunately there are natural enemies, 

 such as larvae of ladybird beetles, of 

 syrphus flies, and some parasites. 



Of the remedies that may be em- 

 ployed for these and other species of 

 aphis, we may mention as very effectual 

 a strong solution of whale oil soap, i lb. 

 to 7 gallons of water, two applications 



(i) about first of June and (2) about the 

 middle. 



Kerosene emulsion is also effectual. 

 In some instances we have used pure 

 kerosene emulsion, where we could 

 apply an exceedingly fine spray ; but 

 otherwise it is injurious to the plant life. 



For success in overcoming the aphis, 

 it is very important to begin early, just 

 as soon as the first few lice are observed. 

 If the leaves are badly curled before 

 spraying is begun, it is well to first clip 

 off the badly infested portions of the 

 branches, and then spray thoroughly. 



THE LEAF CURL. 



^^f\\ CCORDING to Bulletin 92, 

 lf=W Ohio, it is shown that the leaf 

 Zl W curl flourishes under conditions 

 of low temperature and abund- 

 ant rainfall for April and May, especial- 

 ly if these conditions follow a season of 

 excessive leaf curl. Two such seasons 

 following each other have just been ex- 

 perienced, and there is widespread com- 

 plaint of the curling, coloring and falling 

 of the leaves affected with the fungus. 

 It has also been noted that the leaf curl 

 prevails to a greater extent upon several 

 fine varieties, including Elberta, Old- 

 mixon. Mountain Rose, Globe, the 

 Crawfords, Red Cheek, Chair's Choice 

 and some others, while Salway, Smock, 

 Wheeler and some others are much less 

 susceptible, though somewhat injured at 

 times. Trees badly attacked by curl 

 are liable to drop much or all of the 

 fruit. 



It has been shown by many tests 



that Bordeaux mixture is a profitable 

 fungicide for scab, pustular spot and 

 leaf curl, the stronger mixture being 

 used for the application before blossom- 

 ing, while half the strength can be used 

 to good advantage after the leaves are 

 out. The first spraying for leaf curl, to 

 be effective, must be made as the buds 

 are swelling and just before the blos- 

 soms open, followed by another after 

 blooming. These two sprayings in 1897 

 reduced the proportion of curled leaves 

 (diseased) from 88 per cent on un- 

 sprayed to 41 per cent on sprayed, a 

 difference believed to be sufficient to 

 hold the crop of fruit. The results are 

 even more striking when unsprayed 

 trees were compared with those treated 

 two years in succession. In 1897 such 

 had but 7 to 8 per cent of curled leaves 

 while the unsprayed for the same time 

 had 88 per cent curl. 



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