THE PEAK PHYTOPTUS. 123 



of water, has been highly recommended as a sure remedy 

 against Aphidse and Plant Lice, and might with advantage 

 be tried on all soft-bodied insects, whether large or small, 

 and " Magic soap," if used in the proportion of say 1 Ib. 

 to 8 gallons of water, has been proved to be a cheap, sure, 

 and effective remedy against the much-dreaded Peach 

 Aphis, as also similar insects. 



For certain kinds of insects, as Eed- Scale, Cottony- 

 cushion Scale, and others, which are difficult of eradication, 

 the canvas covering for the trees, mentioned by Mr. West, 

 irrigation expert, as being largely in use in America, and 

 under which the trees can be thoroughly treated with 

 gas, &c., would, in my opinion, be very useful also for the 

 phytopti and other minute insects. [An illustration of these 

 covers are given elsewhere.] 



In spraying trees against phytopti, care should be taken 

 that the liquid used is projected upwards, as the galls 

 containing the insects are to be found on the under side 

 of the leaves, so that the falling of the u mist," if sprayed 

 in the usual manner as for Aphis, &c., would, no doubt, 

 fail to reach either the insect or their habitations. 



With regard to the spraying of the trees against the 

 attacks of icerya, and other insects difficult of destruction, 

 Professor MacOwan, of Cape Town, wisely states, "It is 

 next to useless to spray the trees from the outside ; the 

 labourer, dressed in a sack, with holes for the head and 

 arms, should get up inside the spread of the tree, if it be 

 large, and swish the back of the leaves, i.e., take the 

 enemy in the rear." 



Professor MacOwau, as also Mr. W. G. Klee, inspector 

 of fruit trees, California, thinks that the soapy solution 

 (referred to elsewhere) has a better effect w T hen applied 

 hot, i.e., as warm as the hand can bear it, than when cold, 

 opinions which have been borne out by the results of 

 many experiments both in America, Europe, as also in 

 the colonies. 



