292 THE FRUIT GARDEN 



tion ; and if some pressure could be put upon dilatory owners and growers so 

 as to compel universal spraying, we should all be gainers and have far less 

 occasion to cope with insect pests, especially with such winged species as the pear 

 midge [Diplosis pyrivora), which deposits its eggs in the opening buds of the 

 pear flowers secure and safe from any insecticide. We have taken care to pick 

 and burn every little infested pear each season, which is the only remedy; but 

 the case is hopeless so long as our dilatory neighbours allow them to propagate 

 on their neglected trees and to spread. Thus are formed breeding grounds 

 from which other orchards are infested. It is very necessary, therefore, that 

 all owners of such orchards should be compelled in some way to stop the damage 

 that is caused by the various insect pests they encourage. 



Cleansing Old Orchards. — For this purpose there is nothing so effective 

 and so economical as caustic alkali (a burning wash) syringed through the trees 

 with an ordinary garden engine or hop-washing machine. The wash is made 

 by dissolving i lb. of commercial caustic soda in water, then I lb. of crude 

 potash in water. When both have been dissolved, mix the two well together, 

 then add f lb. of common agricultural treacle, stir well and make up with 

 soft water to make ten gallons. The wash has a burning effect upon the hands 

 and clothes, and care must be exercised in distributing it. The best time to 

 do it is about the middle of February, and it will rid the trees of American 

 blight, the codlin maggot, apple blossom weevil, thrips, red spider, the apple 

 sucker, scale, earwigs, and many other insects that are killed by contact. If the 

 branches and stems of the trees are well wetted, the vv^ash will clear all lichen 

 and mossy growths, and make the bark bright and shining. If a Vermorel 

 nozzle is used a long rod or brass tube can be added and so enable the worker 

 to direct the spray well up among the branches and away from himself. 



Paraffin emulsion is prepared as follows : — Dissolve 2 lbs. of soft soap in one 

 gallon of boiling water, add two gallons of paraffin, mix the two well together 

 until quite a creamy emulsion is produced ; one part of this concentrated 

 emulsion, mixed with 40 to 50 parts of water, is then ready for use through 

 the spraying machine or garden engine. The Vermorel Knapsack pump is a 

 most handy machine for garden purposes. The old-fashioned remedy for 

 aphides is still largely used, as it can be made in quantity on the premises, and 

 cheaply. Boil 10 lbs. quassia chips, 7 lbs. soft soap, with 100 gallons of 

 water ; syringe freely with this solution. 



Poisons. — The above each kill by contact, but when we come to the 

 poisons, which we have to use to destroy the leaf-eating insects, far greater care 

 and skill must be exercised. In some seasons we have virulent attacks from the 

 winter moth, the mottled umber, the lackey moth, the ermine moth, and others, 

 and if they are not destroyed by the early application of one of the poisonous 

 liquids all the foliage will quickly be devoured. The best insecticide to use 

 against this class of insects is called Paris green. It is a chemical compound 

 of arsenic and copper. It is almost insoluble in water, but there is often a 

 small percentage soluble, and to prevent the injury this may do to the foliage it 

 is advisable to add a little lime water (made by slaking caustic lime in water) to 

 the spraying mixture. Paris green is a heavy powder, and the difficulty is to 



