81. 



of the insect shrinks, so that a relatively large cavity is 

 formed beneath the insect which is filled with hundreds of 

 whitish translucent eggs. At this stage the insect dies and her 

 dead body, the so-called "scale," forms a protection for) the 

 eggs, and for a short period also for the young larvsB or " lice. " 

 in autumn the young escape from beneath the dead parent 

 chiefly through the little slit or cleft at the posterior extremity, 

 leaving behind them the white egg shells and a little white 

 mealy secretion. 



The larvae usually fix themselves under the partly detached 

 or curled- up portions of the bark, so that they are often com- 

 pletely hidden, and in this way pass the winter without any 

 material change. They are then of a reddish-brown colour, 

 and so small that they are not easily seen. In spring they 

 cast their skins, and may become active for a short period"; 

 in June they become adults and the cycle commences again. 

 The old " scales " or dead females may, if undisturbed, re- 

 main attached to the host plant for a very long period two 

 or three years in some instances; it often happens, therefore, 

 that the representatives of two or three generations may occur 

 on the plant at the same time. 



In the open in this country the Brown Scale is usually 

 single-brooded, but under exceptional circumstances two or 

 even three broods have been noted within a year. 



Remedies and Methods of Control. This scale can be 

 best controlled by winter and by spring washing. It should 

 be borne in mind that it is the lame or young insects which 

 are found living during the winter months ; and as they are 

 very minute aiid often protected by the semi-detached bark, the 

 spraying must be thorough or the result will not be satisfactory. 

 Care must also be taken to ensure that the under sides of 

 the branches are well sprayed, as the insects are usually more 

 abundant in such situations than on the exposed and more 

 accessible portions of the bushes. 



It is advisable to complete pruning before spraying opera 

 tions are commenced ; and in the case of old and badly infested 

 plants it is desirable to remove as much of the old wood as is 

 practicable. 



The spraying apparatus should have the nozzle fitted at 

 an angle of about 45 degrees so that the spray may be con- 

 veniently directed to the under sides of the branches. 



In the case of the gooseberry, " brushing " is practically 

 impossible owing to the thorns, but peaches can be cleaned 

 by scrubbing in the winter. 



(1) The best winter wash is lime-sulphur. The concen- 

 trated lime-sulphur solution can be bought ready made and 

 should be diluted to winter strength 3 quarts of lime-sulphur 

 (1.3 specific gravity) to 10 gallons water, or according to the 

 ma-ker's directions. 



