262 . The Canadian Horticulturist. 



Raspberry Cane Borer. 



O'^S^ Sir, — Can you give me any information regarding the worm that destroys the 

 raspberry stalk. Brower. 



Our correspondent probably refers to the raspberry cane borer, 

 Oberea Bimaculata, Fig. 678, from Saunders' Insects Injurious to 

 Fruits, shows the full-grown beetle, and renders a description 

 here unnecessary. It is one of the long-horned 

 ^ family (Cerambycidse) and immense family num- 



bering some 4,000 species, many of them destruc- 

 tive borers, which live and burrow in wood of plants and trees, 

 e.g., the Locust tree borer, Clytus Robinia, Fig. 679, the apple 

 tree borer, Saperda Candida, Fig. 680, etc. Fig. 679. 



The perfect beetle flies about during this month, and the female deposits 

 her eggs in the tender part of the growing tip of the raspberry cane. She 

 first checks the rapid growth of a portion of the cane, to make the place 

 more and more secure in which to deposit an egg ; and this she does artfully 

 by first girdling the cane in two places, and then thrusting her 

 eggs in it about midway between the rings. 



When the young larva hatches out it burrows its way 

 down the centre of the canes, continuing its destructive opera- 

 tions until about the end of August, when it pupates and re- 

 mains until the following June, when the beetle gnaws its way 

 out, to repeat the round its parent has done before it. 



This insect may easily be kept down by a little watch- 

 fulness for the affected canes will droop and wilt, and if 

 cut below the part affected and burned, they will give little 

 Fig. 680. trouble. 



Raising Cranberries. 



656. Sir, — Would you kindly give me all the information you can on this subject — 

 the best soil, and whether vines or seeds are planted, and where they can be purchased ? 



H. Brunel, Nelsonville, Out. 



This fruit is not grown at all in this vicinity, and, indeed, we do not know of 

 any place in Ontario where it is cultivated to any extent, but in Massachusetts 

 it is largely grown and the profits are reported to be large. 



Boggy or marshy soils are usually selected, and these are thoroughly drained. 

 An important condition is that a sure supply of water can be had at any emer- 

 gency to cover the whole bog. The first step in the preparation is the thorough 

 drainage of this bog so that all water can be drained off during the summer 



