PESTS 73 



presence of the insects. The Insect becomes fully 

 developed and winged in late May or June, and lays 

 its eggs in September, October, and even November. 



The prevalence of psylla has been increasing very 

 much in recent years, but there are grounds for 

 questioning whether the insect is really responsible 

 for all the damage which is attributed to it ; certainly, 

 apple blossoms may often be infested with psylla, and 

 yet set their fruit freely. The appearance produced 

 by brown rot is very similar to that caused by psylla, 

 but the damage done by the latter may generally be 

 recognised by the number of cast skins or exuviae 

 left on the leaves near, and in, the dead trusses. 



Remedies. — Either just before, or during the blos- 

 soming, spray with tobacco or nicotine solution (26) ; 

 if much rain falls afterwards, the spraying should be 

 repeated. The liquid will not hurt the blossoms, 

 even when they are fully expanded. Another remedy, 

 which is proving successful, is the lime-salt wash (12), 

 which should be applied in February or March, pre- 

 ferably two or three weeks before the buds open. 

 Winter washing with caustic washes does not appear 

 to have any effect on the eggs. Benefit results from 

 spraying in late summer with paraffin emulsion, to 

 destroy the adults, and so prevent egg-laying. 



Apple-blossom Weevil (^AntJwnomus pomonim). — 

 This is a black weevil, with ashy-grey pubescence, 

 long-nosed, less than one-fourth of an inch in length, 

 and easily recognised by the pale V-shaped mark 

 on the back. The females make holes in the un- 

 opened flower-bud, and deposit one Qgg in each 



