200 . THE FRUIT GROWERS GUIDE. 



spirits of wine applied with a small brush, and on ripe wood with a little diluted petro- 

 leum. Houses infested with mealy-bug must be thoroughly cleansed (see " Grape 

 Enemies "). 



Special reference has been made to red spider in treating on cultural matters ; there- 

 fore, it is only necessary to add here that syringing is the preventive and the remedy for 

 red spider on fig trees. Insecticides must not be used over the fruits ; and w r hen 

 syringing cannot be practised, infested parts should be sponged with a soft-soap solution, 

 2 ounces to the gallon of water. Brown scale, which first appears on the wood, must 

 be prevented spreading to the leaves by the timely application with a brush of soft-soap 

 solution, 3 or 4 ounces to a gallon of water. The trees must also be dressed after the 

 leaves fall, using the soft-soap solution and a tablespoonful of petroleum, first washing 

 the trees with warm soapy water with a brush, then following with the mixture, applying 

 it carefully, so as not to injure the embryo figs. It is good as a winter dressing against 

 all insects. 



Fig Scale. This differs little from ordinary brown scale ; but it is smaller, and 

 spreads with great rapidity. It belongs to the same genus as Apple Mussel Scale, and 

 is named Mytilaspis ficus. Early treatment with resin compound, Vol. L, page 261, is 

 a sure remedy, but if the scale is allowed to spread over the leaves it is difficult to 

 eradicate without injuring the trees. Pay particular attention to early winter dressing, 

 and thus fortify the trees against the attacks of their enemies. 



