238 Qtteries and Ans'wcr-s. 



Cj/tisiis scoparhis Link, Sparfiion scojjcimim L. — To the various uses assigned 

 to the CNtisus ^coparius, or common broom, in the Arboretum Britannicum, 

 add the following : — A strong decoction of the recent shoots is used by 

 shepherds, in the north of Scotland, for salving sheep ; and is believed to be as 

 effectual as tobacco liquor, for which it is substituted. Some add a little 

 spirits of turpentine to this decoction before using it. — D. Beaton. Ilafficid, 

 near Lcdburt/^ JMarch 7. 1837. 



Art. VI. Queries and Anstvers. 



The Drj/ Scale on Apple and Pear Trees. — The pear and apple wall-trees 

 in this garden, ami one or two of the gardens in the neighbourhood, are 

 infested to a most fearful extent with a small insect, known here by the name 

 of tiie Dry Scale. It resides upon the bark, and sometimes, I believe, 

 even upon the fruit itself. It has a most destructive effect upon the branches 

 and tree where it takes up its abode ; the branch decaying, and, in a short time, 

 becoming utterly useless. I never observed these creatures moving, or their 

 organs of locomotion ; but I should think they are possessed of such organs, 

 wings, for instance; for, if a 30ung tree is planted near a tree infested by 

 them, emigration soon takes place, and, in a short time, the young tree is 

 swarming with them. Here they seem most partial to the Ribston pippin 

 apple, and black Achan pear; never touching plums, peaches, or cherries. 



Along with this I have sent two branches ; the one of a pear tree, the other 

 of an apple tree, to show you these creatures themselves, and the destructive 

 effects they produce. Once or twice every year, I rub or brush the brandies 

 infested with a composition of soft soap, turpentine, and train oil. This checks 

 their ravages, but only partially ; and, besides, it has not a very good effect 

 upon the trees. 



My object in writing to you is, to ask if you, or any of j'our friends, would 

 be so good, through tlie medium of your excellent Magazine, or otherwise, as 

 to give the name of this insect or plant, the best means of getting rid of it, and 

 the season in which this could be done most effectually ; together with any 

 other useful information regarding it; such as its nature, manner of reproduc- 

 tion and locomotion, &c. — JV. B., Gardener. Springjield, Arbroath, March 

 21. 1837. 



This dry scale appears to be the Coccus conchiformis Gmelin. I have no 

 doubt that it i.s^ identical with the Coccus found upon apples, and figured in 

 the Field Naturalist, p. 8G. ; although in W. B.'s branches they were crowded 

 closely together, indeed upon one another. It is in the very young state that 

 they creep about, finding their way instinctively to the younger shoots. See 

 Trans. Ent. Sue, vol. i. p. 3., for a remedy by Mr. Ingpen. — J. O. IV. April, 

 1837. 



We have written to W. B. to furnish us with an infested branch once a 

 month, or dftener, if he observes any change taking [)lacc in it, in order that 

 Mr. Westwood may study the history of the insect throughout the year. In 

 the meantime, we give the following quotation from the paper of Mr. Ingpen, 

 from the Transactions of the Entomological Socictij : — 



" The injuries which the Cocci do to vegetation are very great, not only in 

 green ami hot-houses, but also, which is of more imjiortance, to the out-door 

 fruits. The apple, pear, plum, peach, apricot, &c., suffer alike from their de- 

 structive attacks. The effects of their )-avagcs on fruit trees appear to be, 

 that, by absorbing the sap, the growth of the trees is retarded, tiie fruit loses 

 both size and flavour, and the crop decreases. 



" In consequence of the female Coccus adhering close to the bark, it is 

 extremely tlifficult to eradicate ; and I am not aware of any method of getting 

 rid of it in this state, short of scraping it oft" the branches. This mode, how- 

 ever, would be extremely tedious, and, at the same time, endanger the life of 

 the tree. Tiiere are various remedies in use; such as washing tiie trees with 

 tobacco-water, soft soap and water, and linic-watcr ; all tlestructive of insect 



