276 



THE APPLE CULTURIST. 



Fig. 107. 



The aphis magnified. 



on the tender branches, twigs, and leaves of apple-trees in 

 the spring and summer. They puncture the surface and 

 suck out the sap, and almost stop the growth of 

 the entire tree. In Fig. 108, c and D represent 



aphides magnified. Fiff< m 



The aphis. Thege depredators 



are astonishingly prolific. Pro- 

 fessor Reaumur showed, dur- 

 ing his investigations, accord- 

 ing to his computation, that 

 one single aphis may produce, in five generations, if none 

 were destroyed, more than six thousand millions of descend- 

 ants ! But, allowing that two-thirds of them are destroyed 

 before they have attained sufficient age to propagate their 

 young, two thousand millions are left to prey on apple-trees, 

 leaves, and tender spray. They frequently cover the entire 

 surface of leaves and twigs, and they injure 

 the leaves to such an extent that they cease to 

 grow, and the remaining leaves roll up and die. 

 Other insects, and ants in particular, destroy 

 large numbers of the aphis. When they are 

 numerous, let the branches be sprinkled, by 

 means of a syringe (Fig. 109), with strong 

 soap-suds several times a day, in cloudy weath- 

 er. In some instances, let the branches be 

 washed and rubbed with a cloth. Leaves 

 should not be sprinkled when the sun shines, 

 in a hot day, as they are liable to be scalded 

 by the liquid and heat of the sun. Early in 

 the evening is the better time to apply the 

 suds. If trees are small, many of the branches 

 may be bent down and held for a moment in 

 a tub of strong suds, which will effectually de- 

 A hand syringe, stroy the lice. 



Fig. 109. 



