PROTECTING PLANTS 199 



Usually the emulsion is diluted with 10-15 parts of water for plant- 

 lice (see formula, page 194) ; but some of the species (as the dark brown 

 cherry-leaf louse) require a stronger emulsion, about 6 parts of water. 



The lady-birds (one of which is shown in Fig. 234) destroy great 

 numbers of plant-lice, and their presence should there- 

 fore be encouraged. 



Apple-maggot or " railroad-ivorm.'' — The small 

 white maggots make brownish winding burrows in 

 the flesh of the fruit, particularly in summer and early 

 fall varieties. This insect cannot be reached by a 

 spray as the parent fly inserts her eggs under the skin 

 of the apple. When full-grown, the maggot leaves 

 the fruit, passes into the ground, and there transforms ■^^^- Lady-bird 

 inside a tough, leathery case. Tillage has been found above.' 

 to be of no value as a means of control. The only 

 effective treatment is to pick up all windfalls every two or three days, 

 and either to feed them out or to bury them deeply, thus killing the 

 maggots. 



Asparagus beetle. — Clean cultural methods are usually sufficient to 

 prevent the asparagus beetle's seriously injuring well-established beds. 

 Young plants require more or less protection. A good grade of arsenate 

 of lead, 1 lb. to 25 gal. of water, wiU quickly destroy the grubs on the 

 foliage of either young or old plants. Apply it with an ordinary sprin- 

 kling can, or better, use one of the numerous spraying devices now on 

 the market. The necessity for treatment must be determined by the 

 abundance of the pests. They should not be permitted to become 

 abundant in midsummer or the over-wintering beetles may injure the 

 shoots in the spring. 



Blister-mite on apple and pear. — The presence of this minute mite 

 is indicated by small irregular brownish blisters on the leaves. Spray 

 in late fall or early spring with the home-made lime-sulfur or with 

 the concentrated preparations, 1 gal. to 10 gal. water. Recent experi- 

 ments show this treatment to be effective. 



Borers. — The only certain remedy for borers is to dig them out, or 

 to punch them out with a wire. Keep the space about the base of the 

 tree clean, and watch closely for any sign of borers. The flat-headed 

 borer of the apple works under the bark on the trunk and larger 



