CHEIiBY AND OUBBANT ENEMIES. 



75 



striped looper caterpillar of this moth appears in spring, attacking the 

 foliage and young fruit. (1) Smear a hayband with tar and twist round 

 the base (not on the trunk) of the tree. (2) Occasionally shake the trees. 

 (3) In bad infestations spray with Paris Green, No. 3, page 78. 



Black Fly.— See "Aphides." 



Winter Moth.— See "Apples." 



CURRANT ENEMIES. 



Black Currant Gall Mite {PTiytoptus Ribis). — The ravages of this 

 pest, long serious, are becoming more so every year. Among many examples 

 of its work I may quote one in East Kent, where about 8 acres of Currants 

 were completely ruined by it. The mite appears to be most capricious in its 

 attacks. Sometimes it affects one variety and leaves another alone ; in 

 other cases the position as to sorts is reversed. Again, it usually spreads 

 from bush to bush when established; yet I have known it to atj^ack and 

 destroy several bushes, then disappear, leaving those around untouched. 

 Unhappily the latter instances are not 

 common. The mites are exceedingly 

 minute objects, and they become en- 

 sconced in the buds, which lose their 

 conical shape, becoming broad, cupped, 

 and scaly. I have seen traces of attack 

 in November, and from that time on- 

 wards through the winter the swollen 

 buds become more numerous. To acquire 

 familiarity with the enemy slice open a 

 distorted bud and place it under a 

 microscope. Remedies : (1) Directly 

 swollen buds are seen pick them off and 

 burn them, or cut oEE the twig and put it 

 on the fire. (2) If the evil has spread 

 without the grower observing it and a 

 whole bush is affected, burn it bodily. (3) Do not plant another Currant 

 on the same spot, even if lime has been dusted about and pointed in. I 

 have known it done, and the new bush was soon as bad as the old. (4) 

 After removing twigs in a small infestation spray the bush with the red 

 spider solution. No. 5, page 78. (5) Allow fowls the run of the orchard. 

 (6) From observing that in years when we have a heavy July rainfall the 

 damage from this pest is less than in dry seasons, I am inclined to think 

 that if a vigorous hosing were possible a few times in summer, when the 

 insects are on the foliage, good would be done. (7) It has been suggested 

 that the mites may be killed in the buds by enclosing a few bushes in a 

 large, airtight sheet during winter, placing inside a vessel containing 4 oz. 

 each of water and sulphuric acid, and dropping in very carefully \\ oz. of 

 cyanide of potassium. The experiment might be tried, but the aspirant for 

 knowledge and healthy Currant bushes will do well to keep on the outside 

 of the sheet himself. (8) Cut the old wood out vigorously, and feed tLe 

 bushes to encourage them to throw up plenty of new wood. 



Magpie Moth (Abraxas grosmUriata).—The creamy, black dotted, 

 looper caterpillar of this moth appears in summer from eggs laid on the 

 leaves, and at once attacks the foliage. (1) Dust with sharp soot when 



FIG. 60.— THE MAGPIE MOTH. 



