15 
have no evidence on this point, and, whatever may be the case in other 
countries, it has ceased to be of direct practical interest to fruit- 
growers in this colony, owing to the protective measures adopted of 
late years. In fact, except in very old orchards, it is not easy to find 
a, tree with the roots attacked by woolly aphis. 
Some years ago attention was drawn to the fact that certain 
varieties of the apple exhibited almost complete immunity from the 
attacks of woolly aphis, and that their roots were invariably exempt. 
This blight-resisting power was most strikingly exhibited by the 
“Winter Majetin” and “Northern Spy,” which has led to these 
varieties, with some others, being generally adopted as stocks for other 
kinds, with the best results. Apples worked on these stocks are never 
attacked at the roots, and the branches suffer but lightly when com- 
pared with trees worked on the crab or on ordinary seedling stocks. 
PREVENTION AND CURE. 
The bark must be kept clear of moss, lichen, &c.; all loose bark 
should be removed, and the central portion of the head should be kept 
open by judicious pruning, so as to allow the freest circulation of air, 
and afford the least amount of cover to the insect. 
The most efficient remedy is castor-oil, containing about 2 oz. 
wood-soot to the gallon; this mixture should be applied to the 
affected parts with a paint-brush. In very bad cases it might be found 
advisable to make a second application, but I have never known it to 
fail when properly applied. 
Mixtures of caustic potash, sulphur, and oil are excellent. The 
following has been generally circulated under the instructions of the 
Hon. the Minister of Lands: ‘Four pounds of sublimed sulphur in 
an iron-pot, with enough water to stir conveniently while boiling for 
twenty minutes; then add 11b. of caustic potash (Greenbank Com- 
pany’s is the best), previously dissolved, and whilst still hot, and as 
much colza or other vegetable oil as will make it like a thick paint. 
Then, when warm, with a large paint-brush, daub it for about the 
space of a foot round the butt of the stem of the tree. Rain will wash 
it into the roots, and the oil will tend to preserve its strength for 
ears.” ; 
z Emulsions of kerosene and milk, or kerosene and soapsuds, are 
employed in America. Diluted carbolic acid employed as a wash has 
been highly recommended. Soft-soap, dissolved in boiling water, with 
the addition of caustic potash and sulphur, forms an excellent remedy. 
Sulphur and lime used as a whitewash; fish-oil; soft-soap dissolved 
in boiling water with carbolic acid. 
Many other remedies might be mentioned ; but, so far as my ex- 
perience goes, nothing has proved superior to the mixture of castor- 
oil and soot mentioned at the outset. 
Syringing with soapsuds or other liquids has been often advised, 
but no amount of syringing would be sufficient to clean a badly- 
infected tree, as it would be impossible to force fluids into all the in- 
numerable chinks and crevices of the diseased outgrowth. - 
