ON FRUIT CULTURE. 



I°45 



growing atmosphere, feeding the roots with liquid manure, 

 and keeping down insect pests by syringing freely at all 

 times except when the plants are in flower. Aphides may be 

 kept at bay while the fruit is ripening by means of fumigation. 

 When the fruit is ripening (Fig. 674) supplies of liquid manure 

 should cease. 



Red Spider is one of the greatest foes to contend against in 

 forcing Strawberries, and unless checked by frequent syringin»s 

 it will ruin the foliage. This is shown in Fig. 675, where all 

 the leaves have had to be removed. 



Stiawberries outside are attacked by two or three species 

 of voracious Ground-Beetles, which, forsaking for a time their 

 carnivorous diet, feast upon the ripening fruit. Harpalus rufi- 

 cornis, a very common Beetle, is one that is found in enormous 

 numbers in Strawberry-beds, the mulching usually provided 

 affording it a safe harbourage in the daytime. It feeds at night. 

 The insect is about ^in. long, flatfish, and dark as to colour. 

 Indeed, the head and thorax are quite black, and the only relief 

 to its general sombre colouring are the red legs, antenna, and 

 the down upon its wing-cases. The larval state is passed 

 beneath the soil. This insect is winged. 



contrary to what is usual in the Ground- 



Beetles found in this country. 



Pterostichus (Sterofius) madidus (Fig. 676) 

 is even commoner than the Harpalus, and 

 is altogether a larger insect, reaching |in. 

 long It is shiny black, ovate, convex, 

 with a distinct furrow in the back, and 

 much streaked. The legs of this insect 

 are sometimes red. The Beetle is very 

 common in gardens and is wingless. Equally 

 common is Calathus cisteloides, another 

 wingless insect, but swift of foot. It is 

 black, approaches ^in. in length, and is 

 very fond of sheltering beneath stones and 

 fallen leaves. The above, with perhaps Zabrus 

 gibbus and a few of the Sunshiners (Amara) 

 are the exceptions in the family Cara- 

 bidce to those feeding exclusively upon flesh. 



In the case of a small garden the 

 Beetles may be hand-picked by dislodging them from their hiding- 

 places during the day ; but where there are acres of the fruit 

 under cultivation something less laborious would necessarily have 

 to be adopted. The paste known as the Magic, if properly 

 distributed, soon thins them down ; or Ramsden's Beetle Paste 

 may be employed. 



The other animal pests are those which feed upon other 

 crops as well, and will be dealt with separately. 



Fig. 676. — Ptero- 

 stichus madidus. 



