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 “ratlroad-worm.”’ —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 234. Lady-bird 
inside a tough, leathery case. Tillage has been found ke, lares 
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 scriously 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, will 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 
