148 INSECT PESTS 



until the flowers appear. Here again I would point out 

 to the novice that it is always advisable to look at the 

 money side of the question. It is comparatively easy 

 to prescribe a remedy which will be effectual, but quite 

 another matter to prescribe one which wiU appeal to a 

 practical man. This may sound a bit contradictory, but 

 a little thought will show that after all a grower's best 

 friends are his observation and his judgment, which cost 

 nothing, and may save him a lot of money into the bar- 

 gain. But these faculties must be used constantly to 

 be of real benefit, and guide him as to when and in what 

 circumstances to call science to his aid. A good mechani- 

 cal help on strawberry beds consists of mowing down after 

 fruiting time and subsequently burning the dry leaves 

 mixed with straw over the field. This has been found 

 to add vigour to the plants and is inimical to the Leaf 

 Spot Fungus. (See Plate 37.) 



Both Raspberries and Loganberries are subject to the 

 depredations of Henrlersonia rubi, a fungus which also 

 attacks wild roses, brambles and other indigenous rosa- 

 ceous plants. 



In both cases this fungus assumes a lurid, purpHsh 

 colour at first, and then, having killed the bark, the 

 winter aspect is grey or dingy white, the spores appearing 

 as minute black spots. (See Plate 37.) 



Infection mostly takes place on unharmed canes and 

 wood at fruiting time, so that spraying cannot come in 

 as a remedy unless the crop is to be sacrificed. This 

 extreme measure must be resorted to in a bad case, and 

 the spraying of brambles and other likely wild plants 

 if in the immediate vicinity should be done. All canes 

 cut down should be at once burnt. 



Apples, cherries, peaches, apricots and more commonly \ 

 plum trees have in recent years been subject to Silver Leaf. 

 This is a mysterious ailment which has now been traced 

 to an internal fungus called Stereum purpureum, which 

 lives and fructifies within the wood itself. 



