23 
Otago, and it would doubtless be found to occur in the first and last 
if searched for. 
Unless oceurring in large numbers it may easily’ pass unnoticed 
by a casual observer. In the autumn months it forms dense reddish 
or brownish patches on the stem and leaves, and as winter approaches 
seeks the shelter of crevices, especially near the base of the plant. It 
increases rapidly during periods of drought, but is rarely able to cause 
serious injury in moist seasons. Its structure cannot be made out 
without the assistance of a pocket-lens, when the minute speck is 
found to consist of an oval body, differing from that of an insect in 
having four pairs of legs, two pointing forwards and two backwards ; 
it also has a suctorial mouth and a short pair of anteune. Plant¢ 
infested by this mite are characterised by curled, shrivelled leaves, 
which assume a brown or rusty hue, changing to a dull yellow before 
they fall. On examination the under-surface of the leaves is found to 
be covered with a web, which affords shelter to the mite. 
The eggs are thickly attached to the delicate threads of the web, 
and only require about eight days before hatching, so that new colonies 
are formed with great rapidity. 
PREVENTION AND REMEDY. 
Frequent syringing with cold water is sufficient to prevent this 
troublesome pest from becoming estabiished. Dusting sulphur over 
infested trees is an effectual remedy. 
Mr. Goodhue’s preparation of sulphur and lime, used as a thin 
liquid and applied with the syringe or garden-engine, is excellent and 
inexpensive ; or the powder may be used, although it would be less 
easy of application, and for this purpose less effective. A thin solution 
of soft-soap containing sulphur might be used with advantage. 
Sulphur and lime might be dusted over the surface of the ground at 
the base of the stem. 
In exceptionally bad cases it may be found advisable to wash the 
trunk and main branches of affected fruit-trees with a thin solution of 
soft-soap containing sulphur and lime. 
In late dry seasons the hop suffers severely from the ravages of 
this pest, the crop being deteriorated in, quality and diminished in 
quantity. 
The hop-aphis (Phorodon humuli) has not been observed in New 
Zealand. : 
LEMON, ORANGE, CITRON, ETC. 
1. FOOT-ROT. 
This disease is attended with more serious results than any to which 
the lemon and citron are liable in this colony. The first mdication 
is afforded by the leaves turning yellow and falling; in a short time 
the branches are partially denuded, and, as the luxuriant growth of 
young shoots is severely checked, the tree assumes a straggling habit. 
At the same time the aifected tree usually produces flowers in pro- 
fusion, and the flowers develop fruit, Although diseased, it may 
