74 PICTOBIAL FEACTIGAL FEUIT GROWING. 



hundreds of pounds' worth of fruit destroyed by it. In most instances the 

 grower looked on, complaining, but doing nothing. The mischief is done 

 by a small caterpillar, whitish, with brown head, hairy, having three pairs 

 of claw and five of sucker feet, which results from an egg laid in the eye of 

 the fruit late in spring. On hatching, the grab eats its way into the fruit, 

 which eventually falls. (1) Remove and burn loose bark in winter ; (2) 

 limewash, or scrub with " soaparite," page 78 ; (3) rigorously destroy all 

 worthless fruit as it falls. Usually it is left lying, which is bad. (4) Spray 

 with Paris Green, No. 3, as previously recommended, before the setting fruit 

 turns down. The grub then dies as it feeds. 



Small Uriniue Moth (^Byponnmeuta malivoreUa). — Although this is 

 not an everyday pest, a wrecked orchard I saw in the Midlands taught 

 me what it can do if allowed to have its way. The caterpillar, which is 

 asli coloured and spotted with black, appears in spring from eggs laid in 

 patches and gummed to the twigs. It and its companions live in web tents 

 among the leaves. (1) Brush away and destroy the webs at first sight, so 

 saving future trouble ; (2) give the trees a vigorous shaking, and destroy 

 any fallen caterpillars. 



The Iiackey Itloth (^Bomhjx neustria). — The caterpillars of this 

 moth, which I have found on Pears as well as on Apples, result from eggs 

 laid in rings round the young shoots and attached by a dark,' pitch- 

 like substance. They sport a variety of gay colours, and live in large webs, 

 or may be seen swinging by their threads. (1) Speaking from experience, 

 much the best way of dealing with the Lackey is to look out for the egg 

 patches at pruning time, out off the twigs, and burn them. As a rule, a great 

 number are not found in each tree, and consequently the labour is not great. 

 When, however, it is remembered that each patch may yield a large number 

 of caterpillars it is seen that the work is worth doing. (2) An old broom 

 intelligently wielded facilitates the removal of many swinging caterpillars. 



APRICOT ENEMIES. 



Branch Decay. — There is more loss from this trouble than from the 

 attacks of insects. Wee " Varieties " in a previous chapter, also " Gum." No 

 vrash will stop the evil. I think that it is less marked when the roots are un- 

 disturbed under a pavement than it is in cultivated borders. Apricot growers 

 ought to remember that this fruit greatly resents root disturbance. 



The Moth {Tortrix angustionara). — The small greenish yellow 

 caterpillar of this moth, appearing in the spring, causes the leaves to curl. 

 (1) The only real remedy then is hand work, which in the case of extensive 

 cultures is costly. (2) Where the trouble has existed in previous seasons 

 sjDray with Paris Green, No. 3, 



CHERRY ENEMIES. 



Slug-worm (JSelaiidria atra). — I have had much trouble with this 

 pest, which is also common on the Pear. The blackish blobs, thickened at 

 one end, are frequently abundant in summer. (1) Where a few wall trees 

 are concerned not much damage need he done, as during the morning walk 

 round the garden the slugs may be crushed between bits of flat wood carried 

 in each hand. (2) In the case of larger trees two or three dustings of lime, 

 repeated at intervals of a few days, are effectual. 



Mottled Uinljer Moth {Hyhemia de/oHaria^.—The brown, yellow 



