FRUIT ENEMIES. 277 



trunks with a mixture of fresh cow-dung and lime in May 

 and June, and again in September, to prevent egg-laying 

 is the only remedy. 



Cherry Slugworm (Eriocampa limacina). Slugworms 

 are the larvae of a black, shiny sawfly. The latter appears 

 about June, and deposits its eggs in the cuticle of the 

 under sides of the leaves. The eggs hatch in a few days, 

 and the larvae, which are slug-like in form, greenish in 

 colour, and have slimy bodies, crawl on to the upper sur- 

 face of the leaves, and feed thereon, leaving the veins 

 and under-surface only. The leaves have thus a blotched 

 appearance, and, being unable to carry on their functions, 

 they wither and die. Early in July the larvae descend to 

 the ground, form cocoons, and pupate an inch or so 

 below the surface. In case of an attack, spray the trees 

 with arsenate of lead. Fork in also, in autumn, one of 

 the soil fumigants to destroy the pupae. 



Other Pests. In addition to the foregoing special pests, 

 the larvae of the Winter, Mottled Umber, Lackey, and 

 other moths feed on the Cherry. See the section devoted 

 to Apple pests. The Bark Beetle also bores into the 

 trunks; and various weevils feed on the foliage. 



Currant Pests. 



Black Currant Bud Mite (Eriophyes ribis). One of the 

 most troublesome and destructive pests that attack the 

 Currant. Also known as the Currant Gall Mite and the 

 Big Bud Mite. The Mite is a microscopic creature, hardly 

 visible except through a powerful lens; has a cylindrical, 

 semi-transparent, whiFish body, and lives in the scales of 

 the wood buds. There it sucks out the sap, and in doing 

 so so disorganises the tissues that growth is unable' to take 

 place. The buds, consequently, instead of producing 

 shoots, develop to an abnormal size, and finally shrivel 

 and die. The mites enter the young buds in July and 

 August and deposit their eggs. The following spring 

 April and May the mites escape, and crawl about the 



