The Canadian Horticulturist. 351 



THE APPLE TREE BORER (SAPERDA CANDIDA) IN 



MUSKOKA. 



'^ INTNER, in his first New York report, gives a list of one hundred 

 and seventy-six insects more or less injurious to the apple tree. 

 Many of these are only accidental feeders, and several are not 

 Canadian. However, two of the most destructive species, CEde- 

 masia concirina (the red-humped apple tree caterpillar), and Saperda 

 Candida (the striped apple tree borer), are very common throughout 

 northern Ontario, and one of these, the borer (beetle) is the 

 principal cause of the failure of apple culture in Muskoka. Although often 

 catalogued as a Canadian apple tree pest, it was not reported as being very 

 injurious in the front counties of Ontario ; in fact, it was rare, and entomolo- 

 gists found some difficulty in procuring a good series of cabinet specimens. 

 But so abundant is this insect in Muskoka, that in the ovipositing season 

 (June) fifty specimens may be taken from the trunk of one small apple tree. 

 The natural habitat of this borer is our native cherry trees. Primus serotina and 

 Prunus pennsylvanica, and as these abound along roadsides and over burnt- 

 over lands throughout Muskoka, of course this accounts for the beetle being so 

 numerous. 



The settlers have made laudable and persistent efforts in the way of pur- 

 chasing trees and planting orchards, with very little result, and the consequent 

 loss to the country is probably one million of dollars. 



These native cherry trees are of no value, not even as shade trees, and as 

 they are infested with the borer larvae, the first suggestion is to cut them down 

 and burn them, either in the fall or before the beetles emerge in the spring. 

 One or two days' work from every settler would perhaps be quite sufficient. 

 Fifty pairs of beetles to each wild cherry tree is no doubt a moderate estimate, 

 and as they take very readily to apple trees, in fact, seem to prefer them, the 

 great danger to orchards is readily seen. 



The whole question of fruit raising in Muskoka is one of very great 

 importance, and deserving of a special, full and careful investigation by the 

 agricultural authorities. 



Toronto, August, J8g6. W. Brodie. 



Unfermented Wine. — Weigh the grapes picked from the stems. Mash 

 to break skins. Put in a porcelain kettle, add a very little water, cook till stones 

 and pulp separates ; press and strain through a thick cloth, return juice to kettle, 

 and add 3 lbs. sugar to every 10 lbs. grapes ; heat to simmering, bottle hot, and 

 seal. This makes one gallon and is good. — Practical Housekeeping. 



