NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 193 



disease. At all events, it has been proved over and over 

 again that the roots getting into wet, sour subsoil is the 

 cause of canker, and that lifting them up nearer to the 

 surface and giving them suitable soil to work into will cure 

 it, or at least arrest the decay. 



Root Fungus (Lycoperden Gemmatum). This pest is 

 becoming a terrible scourge in many parts of the North 

 Island, destroying all kinds of fruit trees, forest trees, 

 herbaceous plants and grasses. It is particularly destructive 

 in the Waikato district ; it is also very destructive in the 

 Thames district, where it has destroyed many chains of 

 thorn hedges. It has already killed many thousands of 

 pounds worth of orchard trees in the Hamilton and Cam- 

 bridge districts. Its ravages are principally confined to 

 warm sandy lands, especially fern lands. It rarely, if ever, 

 attacks trees planted in strong moist soils. Several remedies 

 have been suggested for the destruction of the fungoid 

 growth, such as applications of tar water, gas lime, soot. 

 The most successful method we have heard of is to saturate 

 the soil before planting with tar water. Root fungus has not 

 so far as we know been observed in the South Island of 

 New Zealand. 



White or Cotton Cushion Scale (leery a purahasi) 

 This is one of the most dangerous pests which the lemon 

 and orange grower has to contend against. It is common 

 in many parts of the North Island, and as far south as 

 Nelson. Badly-affected branches, or even trees, should be 

 cut down and burned at once. Syringing the trees with a 

 solution of caustic potash, two ounces to the gallon of water, 

 has been found most effectual. 



In addition to the above, Scale Citraceous trees are 

 subject to other scale insects all more or less injurious, such 

 as leaf scale, olive scale, orange scale, and sandalwood scale. 

 All of which may be destroyed in the same manner as 

 recommended for the white scale. 



Canker Worm ( ' Clenopseustis Obliguana). The 

 caterpillar of this moth feeds upon the leaves principally 

 of the apricot ; fastening them together it attaches them to 

 the ripening fruit, feeding upon the epidermis. The cater- 



