THE WOOLLY AND TURNIP APHIS. 5 



The form which lives upon the trunk and branches feeds upon 

 the sap thus weakening the tree, and often causing the bark to split. 



A very bad case of infection recently inspected was a conser- 

 vator}', where both the root and branch forms were present attack- 

 ing palms and ferns only. Applications of soft-soap and hot water 

 as a sprayfluid, and hot water to the roots, entirely cleared the 

 plants. 



PREVENTATIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES. 



It cannot be too often emphasised that in adopting any remedial 

 measures, such must be taken immediately any appearance of the 

 characteristic white cottony fluff is observed. A strong solution of 

 soft-soap with a little paraffin in, dabbed on with a paint brush is 

 very effective in the case of trees. Almost every sprayfluid and 

 wash known, has at one time or another been recommended, but I 

 have found noth ng better for the branch form than soft-soap and 

 hot water, in the following proportions : i Ib. of soap to every 7 

 gallons of water. 



For the root form, hot water, nearly boiling, should be applied 

 about the roots of young trees. Strong soap and tobacco washes, 

 or finely ground tobacco dust buried about the roots have also been 

 very successful. 



Old trees, which have not borne fruit for many years, are 

 often found to be badly infested, and are a continual source of 

 clanger. Wherever possible these should be taken up and burnt. 



In addition to the remedial measures suggested above, there 

 are a number of natural enemies, such as tits amongst birds, lady- 

 bird beetles and their larvae, lace-wing flies, etc. 



The Turnip Aphis. 



Rhopalosiplium dianthi (Schrank.). 



Specimens of turnip leaves, badly infested with this well-known 

 pest, have been received from the Counties of Derby, Nottingham, 

 Worcester and Oxford. 



A sprayfluid consisting of 5 Ibs. of soft-soap, 5 gallons of water, 

 and J Ib. of tobacco, the whole to be well boiled together, and when 

 applied, add three gallons of water to every gallon of the mixture, 

 effected an almost complete cure. 



The Plum Aphis. 



Hyaloptei-us pruni (Fabr.). 



Examples of thisexceedingly destructive aphid madetheir appearance 

 on plum trees, in a garden near to Birmingham. The soft-soap and 

 tobacco sprayfluid recommended for the turnip aphid was applied, 

 but only partially reduced their numbers ; various other sprayfluids 

 were experimented with, but none succeeded in killing it. I hope 

 to deal with this aphid again, when the results of further experiments 

 will be recorded, 



