NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 185 



and immediately commences to eat the leaves. After a 

 time the larva ceases to feed, and drops to the ground, 

 where it buries itself and spins a cocoon, and remains for 

 the Winter. 



Remedies. The best known is Hellebore ; two ounces 

 to the gallon of water. Saturate the foliage with this mixture 

 top and bottom. One application when the slug first makes 

 its appearance will usually suffice. Finely slacked lime, or 

 road dust, may be used with advantage, for scattering over 

 the leaves a little flour of sulphur added will be of service 

 in checking the progress of the pest. 



Oyster-Shell Bark Louse (Aspidiotus Conchiformis) 



or Common Apple Scale. This pest is rapidly spreading all 

 over the Colony, and may be found on almost all fruit trees. 

 Many white thorn hedges which a few years ago were strong 

 and vigorous have been rendered stunted, and, in some 

 instances, have died out altogether from the attacks of these 

 minute insects. With a little extra activity in applying the 

 following remedies it may be kept under. 



Remedies. Two parts of soft soap, one part of sulphur, 

 and one part of turpentine, thoroughly incorporated and 

 .applied with a stiff paint brush. Castor oil, such as is sold 

 for machinery, brushed on has proved an excellent remedy. 

 Fresh slacked lime and sulphur, equal parts, applied as 

 thick whitewash to the trees in Autumn, at the time of 

 pruning, is said to be an excellent remedy. 



The Californian remedy is a solution of one pound of 

 concentrated commercial lye, or one and one-third pounds of 

 commercial potash, dissolved in boiling water mixed with 

 one and a half gallons of water. Wash the trees with this 

 mixture, heated to a temperature of 130 Farenheit. All 

 prunings should be burned. 



The best time for destroying this pest will be in the 

 Spring, when the eggs have hatched out and the young 

 larvae are in a state of activity. This is only for a few days. 

 They may, by the aid of a glass, be seen running about 

 previous to attaching themselves permanently to the bark, 

 where they make their final home. This pest is most vulner- 

 able during this stage of its existence ; but care must, how- 



