152 ORANGE CULTURE Ii\ r FLORIDA. 



tions for rapid development of acidity, and the tree 

 is affected as an animal suffering from blood- 

 poison. So soon as the sap begins to ferment it 

 attracts various insects. If the disease is at the 

 base of the tree or in the crown roots the wood-lice 

 are invited ; if above the crown roots the beetles 

 are attracted. The eggs of the latter soon develop 

 into larva. Both classes of insects feed upon the 

 sap, in its first (sweet) stage of fermentation, and 

 so keep up the irritation, increasing the flow of sap 

 from the wounds, and so help to extend and pro- 

 mote the diseases. 



Remedies. Alkalies to check fermentation and 

 correct acidity, and some penetrating insecticide to 

 destroy the insects that may be hiding beneath the 

 loosened bark. The following has invariably 

 proven effective if the disease has not progressed 

 too far before taken in hand : Bring seven pounds 

 of any washing soap to the boiling point, while 

 boiling stir in one gallon of kerosene. Add sixty 

 gallons of water. When this is to be used add 

 lime to the consistency of a good whitewash. Cut 

 away all the diseased bark and apply the whitewash 

 liberally. 



Preventives. Keep the crown roots well exposed ; 

 keep litter from accumulating around the base of 

 the trunk ; keep standing water from around the 

 trees and the grounds well drained. II the bark is 

 damaged at any time by cold or by bruise, apply 

 the above prepared whitewash. 



