158 An American Fruit-Farm 



trees, notably the sour varieties, are not subject 

 to scale. But the tree is a particular plant and will 

 not fruit everywhere in the Valley, as along the 

 crest of the hills near the frost line. Here it is 

 only a shade-tree. The Valley is however a cherry 

 section even though a small one. 



The diseases of the grapevine yield to culti- 

 vation and spraying. The fungi, but not all 

 insects, are killed by the Bordeaux mixture. The 

 rootworm must be attacked with spray above 

 and cultivation below. The arsenical preparation 

 is effective, but the stirring of the ground as the 

 rootworm emerges, or transforms itself into a 

 beetle, — while yet in the larva state is his most 

 certain destruction. A time comes in June when 

 this change is made, when the larva is slowly work- 

 ing its way from earth to air, — a small, white, 

 viscid, wriggling creature, shaping into a beetle. 

 Sun, wind, or disturbance of the earth destroys it. 

 Therefore cultivate thoroughly at this time. The 

 birds will help, — if you have birds; possibly 

 they have been exterminated by pot-hunters and 

 idle boys. Perhaps you kill birds! If so, you 

 deserve the rootworm! A patient file of educated 

 hens greatly helps at this juncture. So spray for 

 the beetle; horse-hoe, away from the vines, for the 

 larvae ; you will have your reward. In the Valley, 

 so persistent and thorough has been the campaign 

 against the rootworm, it no longer gives the 

 fruit-grower anxiety. 



Of far greater peril is the thrip, or leaf hopper, a 



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