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TWENTY-NINTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



the green surface of the leaf, often causing it to become skeletonized and 

 drop, in this way defoliating the tree. This pest is generally found 

 quite abundant every season, and was so found this season, attacking 

 pear and cherry trees. The remedy generally used is road dust thrown 

 into the trees; but better results are obtained by using air-slaked lime 

 in its place, as it is finer and more astringent. Spraying with paris 

 green can be successfully done, but again the trouble will be in the 

 drenching of trees with little or no good results. 



Diabrotica soror. — This pest is not as bad as in previous seasons, but 

 occasionally appears in goodly numbers. Its appearance the past season 

 has caused considerable correspondence. The bean crop seems to be 

 the favorite food, although the young trees and squash vines in some 

 localities help to entertain the feeder. This pest is becoming less, and 

 this may be attributed to the work of its natural enemy, Celatoria 

 crawii. 



Peach Moth (Anarsia lineatella). — Several reports of damage by this 

 pest have been received, and this is probably due to neglect on the 

 grower's part, as it has been demonstrated that by good and faithful 

 spraying at the right time this pest can be held in check. The lime, 

 sulphur, and salt wash, or a good kerosene emulsion, is sure to give good 

 results. 



Peach-Root Borer {Sanninoidea opalescens). — The pest is confined to 

 a few counties only, and is being reduced considerably by vigorous , 

 fighting. The prize for the best remedy for the pest, which has been 

 offered by the Farmers' Club of San Jose, has induced many people to 

 try remedies, and many are the materials and ai^pliances put forth. 

 One of the most promising I have noticed is crude oil of an asphalt base. 

 This has been tried by Mr. D. B. Pickering of Santa Clara, with con- 

 siderable success. He has been able to keep the borers out of the 

 treated trees, and the digging-out is dispensed with, as the oil causes 

 the borer to leave its burrow shortly after applying the oil to the trunk 

 below the surface of the ground. This remedy was tried last season on 

 an extensive scale, and so far no damage to the trees has been observed. 

 It must, however, be borne in mind that great care must be exercised, 

 and growers should experiment on a few trees the first year. The 

 reason for this is that Mr. Pickering's experiments were carried on on 

 adobe soil, a soil which is cold, so that nothing is known of the results 

 to be had on soils which retain heat during part of the night. 



Strawberry Borer {Aegeria impropria) . — This pest has been reported 

 from several localities, but no particular damage complained of. It is 

 a very common pest and is easily controlled, but much depends upon 

 the growers in destroying the old and infested plants which generally 

 harbor the pest. 



