ANIMALS INJURIOUS TO FRUIT TREES. 23 



to is not known, but it seems probable that they ultimately return and 

 give rise to the oviparous form, the female of which is wingless, and 

 deposits her eggs, one to four, on the lower branches, trunk, or 

 suckers. 



PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES. 



Autumnal and Spring spraying with an aphicide should be carried 

 out, the latter can with advantage be repeated, allowing a week 

 between the two sprayings. 



\Yinter spraying is important in keeping the stem and branches 

 clean. All suckers should be removed before the spring and burnt. 



THE WOOLLY APHIS. 



Schisoneura lanigeru, Hausm. 



I have frequently referred to the increase and neglect of this 

 pest in the Midland Counties, and at the present moment it would 

 appear as if it were going to become one of the most serious that 

 the fruit-grower has to contend with. 



Most fruit-growers are fully alive to the seriousness of the situa- 

 tion, and know full well how foolish it is to neglect even the first 

 appearances, but unfortunately in private gardens it is allowed to 

 breed unmolested. The result is that the fruit-grower is put to great 

 expense in spraying to check, or control, the pest, and is little better 

 off the following year, for there is a constant supply invading his 

 orchard!. 



I am sure if a determined attempt were made by owners of fruit 

 trees to give no quarter to this insect they would be benefiting them- 

 selves, and at the same time conferring a great benefit upon the 

 commercial grower, who at present is severely handicapped. 



Fruit-growers and others should demand that before being sent 

 out, all nursery stock should be fumigated with potassium cyanide. 



As I have elsewhere pointed out, the direct injury caused by these 

 insects is by draining the vitality of the tree. One has only to inspect 

 a badly-attacked tree to realise what an enormous drain there must 

 be upon it. A badly-attacked standard apple tree must contain many 

 millions of insects. 



\Yherever punctures are made by the insects on young wood, an 



