136 ORANGE CULTURE IN FLORIDA. 



rain, as the rain does not wet the under side of the 

 leaf) the fine particles of lime adhere to the leaves 

 and destroy the insect. The application should be 

 made from beneath the tree, the operator standing 

 near the trunk and throwing the lime in handfuls 

 up among the branches. The same rule should 

 be observed when the tree is washed with a decoc- 

 tion of tobacco and whale-oil soap. It should be 

 first syringed from beneath ; afterward it may be 

 showered from the side, and thus by drenching 

 every part of the tree insure a more effectual appli- 

 cation and remedy. 



Another reason why the application of remedies 

 should be made in winter is, the insect does not 

 seem to be multiplying during the colder weather. 

 It certainly is much more active during the warmer 

 months. It should be attacked when at a disad- 

 vantage. Every tree in the grove should be treau 

 ed, and if possible every leaf of every tree in the 

 grove. What would be better still, communities 

 ought to combine and operate at the same time, 

 that the enemy may be exterminated. When once 

 they have obtained a lodgment in a grove they mul- 

 tiply very rapidly during a hot dry spell. An opin- 

 ion prevails that wet weather increases the rust. 

 This is true to a limited extent. The oil does not 

 exude from the punctures made by the insect till 

 it has removed itself from the puncture or died. 

 As long as it continues to suck the oil the orange 

 does not rust. Should the orange be stimulated 



