102 



■coutinueil low, it reuiaiiu'd sound witliiu. the ontor leaves and stalks only 

 showing signs of decay. While the weather continued cold the celery in the 

 cellar remained sound, although it developed a sweet taste; but when warm 

 weather came in early spring, what had uot been consumed, rotted. 



By such study we learn that bacteria cause decay, and that decay takes 

 place xmder conditions in some measures known to us and under our control. 

 To keep celery well it should be packed with the roots in clean soil. For this 

 purpose it is best to use the humus, or muck soil. In whicli the celery is 

 commonly grown. The soil in wliich the roots are packed should be kept 

 moist, but n()t wet, with good water. The cellar or storage room should be 

 kept at a uniform low temperature, a little above freezing. Free ventilation 

 should be provided, both as a means of regulating the temperature and for 

 the health of the plants. It should be remembered, also, that celery kept in 

 a close, foul atmosphere becomes tainted. — Ontario BiiUclin yn. 136. 



CHAPTER VIII.— APHIDES AND MITES. 



Red Spider {Tctraniichiis filaiiiis, and Allied Species). 



These minute pests of the hop-grower and orchardist all have a similar 

 life-history and habits, which, however, vary in different climates and locali- 

 ties. Infested fruit trees or plants show their presence by the unhealthy 

 pale colour of the foliage, as tlie sap being sucked b.v a multitude of tin.v 

 mouths the leaves soon assume a .vellowish cast, with patciies of a grayish or 

 lighter shade. 



In the species most commonly found here, the eggs appear as ruby-red 

 globules as seen under the microscope, and are sometimes found in vast num- 

 bers on the bark of fruit trees, on hop poles, or under rubbish and clods of 

 earth at the base. These eggs are difficult to destroy, and two a];iplications 

 of the No. 1 spray, used as warm as jiossible, are advised to be made to 

 infested fruit trees, in the winter or ver.v earl.v siiring, before growth starts. 

 During the sununer months, a badly infested leaf has its under side comiiletel.v 

 covered with a dens(> well, under which are eggs and mites in all stages o{ 

 development, and it is difficult to reach the pests with ordinar.v spraying. 



In California, however, where they are very troublesome pests, the follow- 

 ing methods are in use in .sj^ring and early summer as soon as the eggs are 

 hatched out. The trees are thoroughly dusted with suljilnir by means of a 

 bellows or other appliance, after they have been wetted b.v a spraying. Some 

 growers use a si)raying mi.xture made in this wa.v : Take 20 lbs. of sulphur, 

 and mix to a jiaste with cold water in a barrel : then add to this wet sulphur 

 10 rbs. of caustic soda. OS per cent., when it will boil up like lime slaking: 

 have ready 20 gallons of water to add to it as it boils, to iirev(>nt burning. 



