APPLE 417 



Insects and diseases of the apple (see p. 198) . i 



Among the insects most commonly found on the apple tree are the 

 codlin-moth, canker-worm, and tent-caterpillar. The codlin-moth 

 lays its egg on the fruit soon after the blossoms fall, and the larvae, 

 on hatching, eat their way inside. A thorough spraying of the trees 

 with arsenites (p. 201) within a week after the blossoms fall will do much 

 toward destroying them; and a second apphcation, in about three 

 weeks, will be essential. The canker-worm (Fig. 217) and tent-cater- 

 pillars feed on the leaves,and can also be destroyed by means of arsen- 

 ites. To be effective against the former, however, the apphcations 

 must be made soon after they hatch, and very thoroughly. 



A close watch should be kept for borers. Whenever the bark 

 appears to be dead or sunken in patches, remove it and search for the 

 cause. A borer will usually be found underneath the bark. About 

 the base of the tree the most serious injury occurs from borers, since 

 the insect which enters there bores into the hard wood. His presence 

 can be determined by the chips that are cast from his burrows. If 

 the trees are well cultivated and in a thrifty growing condition, the 

 injury will be greatly reduced. It will be well to wash the trunks 

 and larger branches with soft soap, thinned with water so that it can 

 be applied with a brush or broom, during the spring. The addition 

 of an ounce of Paris green in each five gallons of the wash will be of 

 value. The only real remedy, however, is to dig the borers out. 



The most troublesome disease of the apple is the apple-scab, which 

 disfigures the fruit as well as lessens its size. It also often does much 

 harm to the foliage, and thus checks the growth of the trees (Fig. 214). 

 The Baldwin, Fameuse, Northern Spy and Red Canada are particularly 

 subject to this disease, and it is much more troublesome in moist 

 seasons than when the weather is dry. The use of fungicides will do 

 much to lessen the injury from this disease. 



Varieties of apple. 



The selection of varieties of apples for home use is, to a large extent, 



a personal matter; and no one may say what to plant. A variety 



that is successfully grown in one section may prove disappointing 



in another. One should study the locality in which he wishes tg 



2e 



