1921.] Eradicating Gall Mite (Big Bud). 401 



checks, to the normal growth of the plantation will start " re« 

 version " in a wholesale manner. The causal agent, if there 

 is one, may be able to develop while the bush is under the 

 stress of adverse conditions. 



Tt is hardly necessary to go into the details of the history 

 of the " mite "; the only knowledge in this respect that culti- 

 vators appear to be interested in is how to get rid of the 

 trouble. To raise clean bushes a start must be made during 

 April and ]\Iay, when green shoots should be taken from the 

 bushes and rooted in a cold frame. This is the only period 

 in the year when shoots carry no " mites " in the buds. The 

 embryo buds are undeveloped, and offer no harbour for them. 



Fig. 1. — DrawincT of a Soft Cutting. 



Method of Propagation and Dipping. — Soft cuttings about 

 three inches long should be taken during April and IN Fay, and 

 soaked in a bath of insecticide, viz.: — 



Nicotine 98 per cent ^, oz. 



Soft Soap 4 oz. 



Soft Water 5 gaL 



This dipping kills any external " mites " the shoots may 

 carry. After an hour's soaking the cuttings should be taken 

 out. rinsed in clean water, and dibbled firmly six inches apart in 

 a cold frame. The frame should be closed, shaded from the sun, 

 and the cuttings treated as soft cuttings until rooted, which will 



