1038 



THE FRUIT INDUSTRY IN XE\V YORK STATE 



induces the growth of galls. These at first are greenish pimples 

 with a more or less reddish tinge. The color strengthens as the 

 galls enlarge, appearing as dead areas of varying size. The 

 galls also show one or more tiny openings the tunnels or 

 burrows made by the mites on entering and leaving the leaf. The 

 mites spend the winter in the buds, usually under the second and 

 third layers of bud scales. They frequently collect in colonies of 

 fifty or more in little depressions in the scales and are more or less 

 concealed and protected by the pubescence of the buds. As the 

 buds burst, the mites move to the unfolding leaves in which they 

 burrow and establish new colonies. In October, the mites abandon 

 the leaves and hide in the buds. 



FIG. 319. WORK OF THE BLISTER MITE ON PEAR LEAVES 



Treatment. The mite is easily controlled by spraying the trees 

 in spring before the leaves appear with lime-sulphur mixture. The 

 concentrated lime-sulphur solution should be diluted in the pro- 

 portion of one gallon of the solution, testing 32 to 34 degrees 

 Baume, to ten or twelve gallons of water for the treatment of the 

 mite alone; but if scale is present on the trees, the spray should 

 be stronger, one gallon to eight or nine gallons of water. 



