POT FRUIT CULTURE AND ITS ADVANTAGES 145 



with their line web and hide between them. It is extreme!}- interesting to watch 

 this insect and its marvelous modes of protection, but for all its ingenuity we 

 are compelled to fight it if we want to preserve our crops. The amount of damage 

 the leaf roller can do in its short span of life is enormous. The only remedy 

 that I can suggest is to hand-pici< the insects from the leaf or the blossom before 

 they make much headway. To my mind there is nothing more unsightij- than 

 injured foliage, aside from the fact that it prevents the development of perfect 

 fruit. 



Mildew must also be guarded against. It will spread rapidly under certain 

 atmospheric conditions, such as sudden changes in temperature, or too close 

 an atmosphere, or in other words, coddling. Some sections of the countrj- are 

 more subject to mildew than others. Trees tiiat ha\e once been attacked by 

 mildew are more readily infected a second time; but it is as easy to check the 

 spread of mildew in the orchardhouse as in the peach-house, by proper attention 

 to airing. If there is a sudden change in the temperature, even during the 

 Summer months, reduce the air somewhat; and be careful not to syringe the 

 trees in very cloudy or damp weather. A light dusting of the infected tree with 

 powdered sulphur will also check mildew. 



Borers will attack all the fruit trees except Pears, which they do not seem 

 to trouble much. Neither will they make the same headway with Plums as 

 with Peaches and Nectarines. Thej- must be fought as soon as detected. 

 Their burrows must be opened up with a knife. Sometimes they are difficult 

 to get at; in this case use a piece of wire and probe down until you strike them, 

 for it is a question of killing the borer or the borer killing the tree. 



