1907.] Insect, Fungous and other Pests. 



295 



Various Pests. — A number of other specimens were sent 

 for identification, among them being the Brown Lecanium 

 Scale, forwarded by correspondents from Liverpool (where 

 it was infesting apple trees), and from Canterbury, where it 

 occurred on damson and plum trees. A short note on this 

 pest was given in this Journal for June last, p. 162. Red 

 spiders (see Leaflet No. 41) were sent from Northwood, eel- 

 worms (Leaflet No. 46) in oats from Newbury, Southampton 

 and Leeds, and millipedes (Leaflet No. 94) from Llandudno. 



Worms. — Two correspondents enquired as to the best 

 means of ridding bowling greens of worms, which were causing 

 great annoyance. On lawns, greens. &c, where worms are 

 troublesome, a worm-killer recommended by Mr. A. D. Hall 

 has been reported as excellent. This consists of : — Mercuric 

 perchloride, 10 lb. (this is poison and must not be left about) ; 

 hydrochloric acid, 4 lb. ; and water, 6 lb. The mixture should 

 be diluted for use in the proportion of J oz. of the fluid to 

 3 gallons water. Watering the grass with soap suds will also 

 bring the worms to the surface, when they may be swept up. 



Fungi. — The plants infested with fungous diseases which 

 have been sent to the Board for identification and report 

 have been very varied. 



Fungus on Gooseberries. — Shoots of gooseberry bushes 

 from Brentwood had been killed by Botrytis cinerea, the summer 

 condition of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The shoots are infected 

 when very young and tender, and spraying should therefor^ 

 commence when they are first commencing to grow. The 

 spray should consist of J oz. of liver of sulphur (crude 

 potassium sulphides) dissolved in a gallon of water. (See 

 also Leaflet No. 127, Sclerotium disease). 



Fungus on Willows. — Leaves of willows from South Patter- 

 ton were infested with a fungus (Melampsora) causing rust. 

 Such leaves should be burnt in order to destroy the spores 

 and prevent them passing to other plants. 



Strawberry Mildew. — Diseased strawberry plants from 

 Botley were attacked by Strawberry Mildew (Sphaerotheca 

 castagnei, Lev.). In a case of this disease the beds should 

 be mown after the fruit is gathered, and when the leaves 

 are dry the beds should be covered with a sprinkling of straw 

 or other light litter and burnt over. This will destroy the 



