38 THE BOOK OF PEARS AND PLUMS 



spring. If the trees are washed and syringed, the 

 attacks will be lessened. In (2) and (3) collect the 

 blistered leaves as soon as seen, burn them and spray 

 or syringe at once. 



Miss Ormerod recommends a dilute paraffin emulsion 

 sprayed over infested leaves. Dissolve | Ib. of soft 

 soap in a gallon of water, add this while boiling to two 

 gallons of paraffin, churn t.he whole with syringe or 

 small pump for ten or fifteen minutes to make a perfect 

 mixture. For spraying add 12 gallons of water to each 

 gallon of the emulsion. Stir well while spraying, and 

 try the mixture on a branch or two lest it be too strong ; 

 if so, add more water. This emulsion is good for the 

 Blister Moth and the Slug-worm. 



4. The Slug-worm is so called from the similarity 

 of the larva of this sawfly to a small black slug. The 

 worms feed on the upper surface of the leaves. Dust 

 with quick lime two or three days in succession, or 

 syringe with strong soap-suds and some tobacco water. 

 Clean with pure water in a few days. The paraffin 

 emulsion (No. 3) might also be used. Quick-lime 

 scattered around the roots and forked three or four 

 inches into the soil may destroy their cocoons. But beware 

 of excess. The remedy may be worse than the disease. 



Insects that attack leaves will also eat the skin of the 

 young fruits if conveniently placed for them. 



5. The Pear Sucker is a jumping plant-louse which 

 early in the season sucks the juices of the tree about the 

 axils of the leaves. They are covered with the exuda- 

 tions of the sap, which often drops on the ground. The 

 visits of the ants should call attention to this pest. 

 Syringe well with soft soap and water, J Ib. to 4 gallons, 

 and add tobacco water. Remove all rough bark (their 

 hiding-places) in winter. 



6. The Pear Gnat Midge (Diplosis pyrivora) may 

 readily ruin a crop if unchecked. It is a recent im- 



