INSECTS AND DISEASES OF THE PEACH 1095 



characters, as for example the use of too much nitrogenous fertil- 

 izer. From personal experience it may be stated that close ex- 

 amination of the roots of such trees often proves that there is no 

 infestation of aphids, and inquiry has sometimes revealed that no 

 fertilizers have been used around the trees. It is fair to suspect 

 black aphis, however, when the foliage presents the leaf character- 

 istics. 



In New York the insect appears to desire the environment of our 

 sharp lake sands, being less often found in gravel, stony, clay, 

 or clay loam soils. The aphids obtain their food as do all other 

 nphids, namely, by sucking the sap from the leaves or roots of the 

 trees. Each mature aphid gives birth to living young, so that under 

 favorable conditions multiplication takes place rapidly. 



Methods of control. Nurserymen and fruit growers alike 

 should always practice fumigation of peach stock. Thorough 

 fumigation will eliminate this pest as well as others and, if prop- 

 erly conducted, will not injure the stock. Since the insect will live 

 for some time in soil from which an infested tree has been 

 removed, it is wise to make a heavy application of tobacco dust. 

 One-half to one bushel of wood ashes mixed thoroughly through 

 the soil of the infested root area will serve to eliminate soil infes- 

 tation. Some growers have succeeded by stimulating the trees to 

 rapid growth by heavy application of manure and by thorough 

 cultivation. 



Curculio 



The work of the curculio (Cono- 

 trachelus nenuphar Hbst.) is noted 

 on the fruit. The pest stings the 

 peach sometimes to obtain food and 

 at other times to make a crescent- 

 shaped groove in which to deposit an 

 egg. The saps flow freely out through 

 the wound and cause gumlike drops 

 to form on the surface of the fruit. ( b ) WORMY FRUIT 

 Occasionally the attacks of the pest are serious ; causing deformed 

 and wormy fruit (Fig. 346, b). 



