396 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



month of June is usually considered an ex- 

 cellent time, unless the transplanting is fol- 

 lowed by very dry weather, which is more 

 trying upon evergreens than on other trees. 



The Malarial Mosquito. 



1179. Sir, — There was an exceedingly interest- 

 ing article recently in the Scientific American by 

 Dr. H. O. Howard, of Washington, upon the dis- 

 tinctive features of the Malarial and Non- Malarial 

 Mosquito (culex pungens) and (Anopheles quad- 

 rimoculatus.) I don't suppose, however, "Ano- 

 pheles Quad" are Canadian inhabitants. 



A Reader. 



REPLY BY DR. FLETCHER. 



The distinctive features of the Malaria 

 Mosquito, as distinguished from the species 

 of Culex, is the comparatively greater length 

 of the palpi, the small processes which are 

 found at the base of the probosis. There 

 is also a characteristic attitude when at 

 rest. In the ordinary Mosquito Culex the 

 legs are raised above the back, sweeping 

 upwards, while in Gnopheles they droop 

 beneath the body. When at rest Culex 

 holds it body parallel with the surface it is 

 resting on, while Anopheles has the body at 

 almost right angles, as if attached by the 

 tip of the beak. 



The Caprifig Insect. 



1 180. Sir, — I would like to know if any at- 

 tempt has been made to cultivate the Fig in the 

 Niagara District. I suppose, however, this can 

 only be done under glass ? Where can I find the 



name of the insect imported from Southern 

 Europe into California for the purpose of fertiliz- 

 ing the fig and increasing its size and production, 

 and an account of it. 



REPLY BY DR. FLETCHER, OTTAWA. 



The insect imported from Europe into 

 California for the purpose of fertilizing the 

 fig and increasing its size is named Blasto- 

 phaga Grossorum. or more generally the 

 Caprifig insect. 



North American Cricket. 



1181. Sir, — Give some account of the North 

 American Cricket, and if injurious to cereal crops 

 in the same way as the Locust and Grasshopper ? 



REPLY BY DR. FLETCHER. 



I do not know what species should be 

 called distinctively the North American 

 Cricket, for there are several kinds. Possibly 

 Gryllus Neglectus is meant. This is a large 

 black species which is commonly found 

 under logs, but is also frequently seen hop- 

 ping about in hot weather. I have never 

 known it injurious to cereal crops although 

 it consumes a considerable amount of vege- 

 table matter. Its range of food is very 

 varied, consisting about equally of animal 

 and vegetable substances. 



All of these questions could have been 

 more suitably sent to an entomological or 

 natural history publication, where they 

 could have been answered more fully. 



Mr. E. L. Goodsell, of New York, has 

 been abroad studying the apple market, and 

 writes as follows in the New York Fruit- 

 man's Guide, on the apple market : 



The apple crops of both Germany and England 

 promise to be about the largest on record. But 

 the quality is by no means commensurate with 

 the quantity. Both countries have been sufferers 

 from continued heat and drought, and as a result 

 the apples, plentiful as they are, will be so small 



and poor as to be unimportant factors in the 

 market. As a result American apple shippers 

 must bear in mind that they will win in the com- 

 petition by force of sheer quality and quality 

 alone, and accordingly they must be careful to 

 send apples of only the best quality or size ; 

 otherwise they will get their fingers badly burned. 

 It is believed that good apples will sell well in 

 England and Germany, and will meet a large 

 demand, especially in view of the country's recent 

 favorable action in the matter of duties on Ameri- 

 can fruits. 



