1 66 Apple-Culture. — TJie Aphis. 



bark. In this state, they probably exhaust the tree less; but the functions 

 of life still go on till after the eggs are laid, and their bills are constantly 

 inserted in the bark to draw from it the little nourishment they may 

 require. 



It is not merely by these exhausting bills that damage is done to the 

 tree. The bark serves much the same purpose to the tree that the skin 

 does to the animal. Through its minute pores, exhalations and inhalations 

 are constantly going on. Now, if the bark is thickly covered with these 

 scaly lice, these pores must be stopped, and the functions of the bark 

 cease in a manner, and the health of the tree be impaired. We have 

 dwelt somewhat minutely on the description of this aphis, that the atten- 

 tion of farmers may be called to it. The insect is so insignificant, its 

 onward march is so silent, and its aggressions so insidious, that we have 

 ti'eated the enemy with too much neglect ; and he has partial possession of 

 nearly all our orchards, and is a prominent cause of the premature decay 

 of our trees. 



The remedy is simple, and is in the hands of every one. It is merely 

 to wash the trees with strong soap-suds; half soap and half water in the 

 case of old trees, and one-third soap and two-thirds water for the younger 

 trees. The best time to put this wash on is the latter part of May, or first 

 of June, when the young lice are in the larva state; and the most efficient 

 instrument is an old broom. Strong lye, or a strong solution of salt and 

 water, will also destroy the lice. Old mackerel-brine is one of the best ex- 

 terminators of tree-lice, as, besides the salt, it contains a penetrating and 

 destructive oil. But, of all the remedies, we recommend the soft-soap as 

 the most efficient. Besides its efficacy in destroying the lice, it is an excel- 

 lent fertilizer for the tree, rendering the bark smooth and healthy, so that 

 it may best perform its functions. Whatever soap is washed off from the 

 trunk and limbs of the tree is not lost, but serves as an excellent stimulus 

 for the roots. We have been in the practice of washing apple-trees with 

 soap once a year, and have no doubt of its efficacy upon the health of 

 the trees. We doubt not that two washings a year would be still better; 

 and, if a second wash is given, we would recommend the first part of 

 August as the time, as then the second brood of lice makes its appearance, 

 and may be seen sometimes on the apples. If the soap is rubbed thor- 



