90 PHYTOPTID^. 



Thu=!, save what may possibly hybernate in rough bark or accidental 

 sheltering-places, they spend the winter, and are ready to recommence 

 mischief in spring. 



Methods of Prevention and Eemedy. — Where there are only a 

 few leaves infested, or the trees are small, it is well to pick these 

 leaves off and burn them. Where attack is bad, spraying the leaves 

 is the best remedy, and for this purpose the mixture of soft-soap and 

 mineral oil, known as Kerosine Emulsion, is especially recommended. 

 In Mr. Fletcher's paper, quoted above, it is stated: — "As a remedy, 

 Kerosine Emulsion seems to be the only substance which, up to the 

 present time, has given any promising results." '''■ 



I do not feel sure from my own experiments whether, so far as 

 syringing leafage to check spring and summer attack is concerned, 

 other soap mixtures besides those mixed with mineral oil (as Kerosine 

 Emulsion, and what may be called its British counterpart the Anti- 

 pest, previously mentioned) would not do very well. In the working 

 of these applications a great deal depends on the tenacity of the soft- 

 soap choking the breathing-apparatus of the pests, and causing their 

 minute and soft bodies to adhere to wherever they may be affixed until 

 they are dead. But however this may be, I was favoured with a very 

 good note of success in use of Kerosine Emulsion in checking bad 

 attack of this Pear Ijeaf-blister damage. This was sent me early in May 

 from " The Limes,' Sarisbnry Green, Southampton, by Mr. F. Keller. 

 Referring to my recommendations as to treatment, he replied: — "I 

 have lost no time, pending the arrival of a supply of the ' Anti-pest ' 

 remedy, to apply some Kerosine Emulsion to the injured trees by 

 means of a Knapsack Strawsonizer. This has certainly arrested the 

 damage on those trees that were only slightly affected as yet, and I am 

 in hopes it may yet save the four horizontally-trained Pear-trees, 

 which, on receipt of your letter, had hardly a sound leaf left, the 

 tender young leaves being all rolled up ; for the new leaves that have 

 formed since the application of the Emulsion are so far looking 

 healthy."— (F. K.) 



In 1893, I had good success with Anti-pest syringed on to the 

 leafage of a wall Pear-tree much injured by blister in my own garden, 

 so that in the past season it did not require any treatment. 



But (quoting from Mr. Sliugerland's pamphlet before mentioned) 

 " the most vulnerable point at which the disease can be attacked on a 

 large scale, is when the Mite is in its winter-quarters in the terminal 

 winter-buds " ; and trial of effect of Kerosine Emulsion proved very 

 satisfactory. 



* For recipe for this Emulsion, difficulties as to thoroughly blending the ingre- 

 dients so that they may remain permanently incorporated, and remarks thereon, 

 see ante, p. 65. 



