808 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



fruit is occasioned by any suspension of the growth of the fruit, and a consequent hardening 

 of the rind followed by a sudden flow of sap from any stimulating cause, as highly fertilizing 

 a bearing grove, especially during summer, or a wet spell following a dry. The cracking is 

 more apt to follow the rains, if trees have been highly* manured even in winter. This can be 

 prevented by keeping the ground well stirred during dry weather. The soil thus stirred, 

 absorbs moisture and keeps the fruit growing. 



Insects. The insect which was at one time considered the most injurious, was the 

 long scale insect, resembling one side of a distorted mussel shell, and was called by Packard, 

 Aspidiotus Gloverii. When it first made its appearance in Florida, it threatened universal 

 destruction of the orange groves. Several remedies have been found effectual. The most 

 effective yet known to the writer is a decoction of tobacco with sufficient carbolic soap to 

 make a strong suds. Apply with a garden syringe or pump, through a perforated nozzle. 

 Kerosene, in the proportion of one part of kerosene to eleven of water, applied in the same 

 manner, is effective. But there is danger if too much be used. A moderate amount is a 

 good fertilizer and stimulant to the tree. As there is no chemical affinity between the 

 kerosene and water, the mixture has to be kept vigorously stirred during the time of applying 

 it. Either of these applications has to be repeated two or three times at intervals of ten or 

 twelve days. 



The wood louse, or white ant, has occasioned serious trouble, and sometimes death to 

 many fine young trees where the preventative was not used ashes or slacked lime around 

 the base of the trunk. When a tree begins suddenly to show yellow leaves examine a few 

 inches below the surface at the base of the trunk for wood lice, especially if a stake has been 

 driven near the trees for its support, or if litter from the forest or mulching of leaves has 

 been used. If wood lice are discovered clear them away carefully, pour boiling water into the 

 cavity around the tree until all the cavities in which the lice could have concealed themselves 

 have been reached. If the tree has been but partially girdled it will recover, if the soil be 

 placed above- the wounded part. But if the tree has been completely girdled, get well rotted 

 muck and pile it for three or four inches above the wound, and cover over with sand. Finish 

 with a top-dressing of fresh wood ashes or slacked lime. If the tree is not too far spent, it 

 will send out young roots above the wound and finally recover. 



Two other insects damaging to orange trees are to be noticed. These insects are very 

 dissimilar in appearance, but the injury done by them very similar. One insect is a spider 

 with a long, slender body. When at rest its fore legs extend forward, and the hind legs 

 backward, and all parallel with the body, which clings closely to the branch or leaf on which 

 the insect rests. I am fully satisfied that it is the cause of one of the forms of the disease 

 known as the die-back. Early in the morning the insect is usually found on the tenderest 

 shoots of the orange, and wherever found the indications are the same. If the shoot is very 

 young and tender, it begins at once to lose its freshness, and ceases to grow ; a little later it 

 assumes a rusty appearance, and finally dies. If the shoot is a little older when attacked, or 

 if the insect has moved lower down, after exhausting the extremity of the shoot, and attacks 

 the stronger wood, a blister appears on the bark, and, if examined, a collection of sap is found 

 just under the puncture made by the insect, and between the bark and the wood. The sap 

 soon hardens into a gum. If the sap is flowing very vigorously at the time the bark is 

 punctured, a little sap flows from the puncture and hardens into gum. The branch is evi 

 dently poisoned by their operations, and frequently dies down to the wood of the previous 

 growth. If the tree is abandoned to the insect, the young wood is soon all killed. 



The other insect to be noticed resembles the squash bug, and is called by the entomolo 

 gist of the Department of Agriculture, Eufhoctha gakator. These insects are very bold in their 

 attacks. I have watched them frequently in their operations as they were lying in the hot 

 sun basking, while their probosces were inserted in the tender shoots. I have held my mag- 



