no THE FRUIT GROWERS GUIDE. 



ENEMIES. 



Aphides. Green fly (Myzus Persicse) works great mischief on the young shoots and 

 tender leaves. Its attacks are confined to the young growths. Brown fly (Aphis 

 Persicse) lives on peach trees throughout the year ; when leafless, it clings to the 

 young wood, and in spring attacks the opening buds, and attaches itself to the young 

 growths and tender leaves, distorting and ruining them. Preventive and remedial 

 means are given in Vol. I., pages 257 262. It is very important to have the trees 

 perfectly clean before the blossoms appear, so as not to have any insects to destroy 

 when the trees are in bloom, as the fructifying organs are easily injured, and fumiga- 

 tions must at all times be carefully and moderately practised. (See "Fumigation," 

 Vol. I., page 303.) 



Brown Scale (Lecanium Persicse). This insect has a general resemblance to Soft 

 Orange Scale (Fig. 15, page 56). Its attacks are chiefly confined to trees under 

 glass, but those on walls sometimes become infected. The pest adheres firmly to the 

 young shoots and midribs of the leaves. By living on the juices the growths are 

 weakened, the foliage clogged, and the fruit coated with the secretions of the insects, 

 spoiling its appearance. Eesin compound and petroleum mixture, Vol. I., page 261, 

 are the best remedies during growth, prompt steps being taken to extirpate the pest on 

 its first appearance, and after the fruit is gathered the compound or mixture may be 

 applied at a temperature of 130. Collect the leaves of infested trees as they fall, 

 and burn them, then when the trees are leafless spray them with the caustic soda and 

 potash solution named in Vol. I., page 251. Unnail or untie the trees, and syringe 

 them with water at a temperature of 140, and, when dry, wash them with a softsoap 

 solution, 4 ounces to a gallon of water, applying with a clean, half- worn paint brush, 

 taking care not to dislocate the buds, and repeat before securing the trees to the wall or 

 trellis. The removal of the roof lights has a deterrent effect, and where these are 

 fixed, syringing the trees and throwing the house open on frosty nights have been found 

 useful. 



Caterpillars. -The larvae of the Figure- of- Eight moth (Vol. I., page 284), and 

 others, occasionally infest the leaves of the peach and nectarine ; they should be re- 

 moved by hand picking, or the means recommended under " Caterpillars," Vol. I., 

 page 283. The larvae of the Wceberian moth also attacks the peach. (See Vol. II., 

 page 44.) 



Red Spider. This is the greatest and most insidious enemy to the peach, and must 



