120 INSECTS AFFECTING THE ORANGE. 



powder disables and finally kills the Mites, but they are not as violently 

 affected as many of the higher insects, and recover from slight applica- 

 tions. 



Lime. Not the slightest effect was obtained with applications of lime, 

 as the following experiments will show : 



(1.) Freshly air-slaked stone-lime dusted thickly over infested leaves. 

 Mites continued feeding and propagating under the coating of lime- 

 powder, and did not abandon the leaves during eight days in which 

 they were kept under observation. 



(2.) Slaked lime, 1 pint measure suspended in 1 quart water, and 

 allowed to partly settle. Leaves dipped in the turbid liquid. No in- 

 jurious eifect upon the Mites or their eggs. Adult Mites were rendered 

 restless by fine particles of lime adhering to them, and all left the leaves 

 within two days, but were not killed. 



(3.) Same solution as No. 2, clarified by standing several days. Leaves 

 dipped in the clear lime-water. No effect whatever during eight days' 

 observation. 



Ashes. Finely-sifted hard-wood ashes dusted upon the leaves pro- 

 duced no effect whatever upon the Mites, and did not seem to discom- 

 mode them in the least. 



The above experiments were made in December, during continued 

 cold weather, which retarded the development of the Mites and inter- 

 fered somewhat with observations as to hatching of the eggs under 

 treatment. 



CAUTION. 



There is danger in applying penetrating liquids to orange trees dur 

 ing the winter. First, because any. shock to a dormant tree is apt to 

 start the buds and induce new growth at a time when there is danger 

 of frost. Secondly, a succession of cold nights and cloudy days, such 

 as frequently occurs in severe winters, following immediately after an 

 application, will increase to an injurious extent its effect upon the plant, 

 by preventing evaporation of the liquids used, and allowing them to 

 remain too long in contact with the leaves and bark. Serious loss 

 is liable to follow a disregard of this warning. 



