The Canadian Horticulturist. i5* 



Scraping Trunks of Apple Trees. 



7*Jtii. Sir,— Should the rough bark be scraped off the trunks of apple trees with a 

 dull hoe, and when ? T. H. A. 



When a tree is growing vigorously, it will throw off the old bark without 

 assistance. The only object in scraping it off is to remove some of the hiding 

 places of insects and fungi. A favorite covert for the oyster-shell bark louse is 

 under old loose portions of bark, and there they are protected from the effect 

 of kerosene emulsion spray. So to thoroughly rid the tree of this tiny but most 

 destructive insect, it is necessary to scrape oflF the loose bark, before washing or 

 spraying the tree. A dull hoe is as good an instrument as any. 



Lime or Ash-water for Apple Trunks. 



■726. Sir,— Which is better to use as a Mash for apple tree trunks, lime-water or lye- 

 water? T. H. A. 



Whitewashing trees with lime is of little use, simply making an orchard 

 look hideous and to no especial purpose. Ashes and water, or lye water, or 

 any other alkaline solution is destructive to the bark louse and other insects. 

 If applied about the ist of June it will best destroy the bark louse. 



The Borer. 



727. Sir, — How can you tell when borers are in a tree, and how would you kill 

 them? T. H. A. 



The presence of borers in young apple trees may usually be detected by a 

 dark discoloration of the bark, which sometimes becomes so dead as to crack 

 open. Besides these some castings "may usually be seen protruding froiri the 

 point of entrance. They must be cut out with a sharp knife to save the tree ; 

 or a wire may be inserted, if the larva is near the surface, and the borer destroyed. 

 The best plan is to prevent the depositing of the eggs in the trunk, by washing 

 with strong soap suds in June and July, when the parent beetle is flying. This 

 will drive it away. 



Worms on Currant and Gooseberry Bushes. 



72§. Sir, — What would you use to kill the worms on currants and gooseberrj- 

 bushes? T. H. A. 



Spraying or sprinkling with Paris green water when the saw fly first 

 appears is most effective ; but when currants are formed, hellebore should be 

 used, either dusted on dry, using a glass goblet with a leno cover as a sprinkler ; 

 or in water, one ounce to three gallons, applied with a watering can. 



