THE APPLE. 



91 



APPLE LEAF LICE (Aphis mail). The leaves of the apple are 

 frequently attacked by lice, which by sucking the sap cause the 

 leaves to curl up and assume a very unnatural appearance. They 



work almost entire- 

 ly on the lower side 

 of the leaf and are 

 most abundant o n 

 the new and tender 

 growth. Similar 

 lice attack the foli- 

 age of plum, currant 

 and other plants. 

 The eggs of these 

 lice are very small 

 but shiny black in 

 color, and may be 

 FIG. 68. Apple Leaf Lice, showing various stages found on the twigs 

 of growth. The straight lines indicate natural size. Q ^ apple and other 



trees during the winter. They hatch out early in the spring and 

 multiply with great rapidity. (Fig. 68.) 



REMEDIES. The lice should be destroyed early in the spring 

 before they have become numerous. The eggs hatch out about the 

 time the buds are bursting, and as soon as the lice appear they 

 should be sprayed with strong soapsuds, kerosene emulsion or 

 tobacco water; the latter made by boiling one pound of rough 

 stems or leaves in a gallon of water ; will be very effective against 

 the young lice. Kerosene emulsion is easily made, cheap and very 

 effective. It should be sprayed on the infested trees. If the lice 

 are allowed to get very numerous before spraying is commenced 

 the work will have to be repeated several times. Kerosene emul- 

 sion made as follows : 



Kerosene EmuMon.Solt soap, one quart, or one-fourth pound 

 of hard soap ; two quarts hot water; one pint kerosene. Stir until 

 all are permanently mixed, and then add water until the kerosene 

 forms one-fifteenth of the whole compound. A good way to make 

 the emulsion permanent is to pump the mixture back into the re- 

 ceptacle several times. 



There are many other insects that occasionally injure the 

 apple. For those that eat the leaves Paris green and water is 

 generally the best remedy, and it may be used as strong as one 

 pound to one hundred gallons of water without injury to foliage, 

 but generally one pound to one hundred and fifty gallons of water 

 is considered about the right proportion. 



Varieties. The following list of varieties includes only the 

 hardiest kinds and those that are generally successful in the loca- 

 tion for which they are recommended, and that can be readily ob- 

 tained from nurserymen. In very favorable locations less hardy 

 varieties may be profitable, but it will be best for the inexperi- 

 enced planter in severe climates to try only the hardiest kinds. 



