OF THE FARM AKD GAEDEK. 



211 



attached to the diseased stems, and all through the cold 

 weather and far into the spring, these leaf -laden and dis- 

 eased stems were a conspicuous object in many of the 

 Blackberry plantations of the State. 



If the infested shoots are examined in summer, thou- 

 sands of minute insects of a pale-yellow color and covered 

 with a powdery exudation will be found sucking the 

 juices of the succulent stems and leaves, causing the 

 crimping, curling, and twisting of these parts as de- 

 scribed. 



This parasite resembles somewhat an ordinary green-fly 

 {Aphis) or plant-louse, but according to recent observations 

 it is now known to belong to the closely allied Flea-lice 

 family (PsylUdce), distinguished from the plant- lice by 

 a different veining of the wings, and by the antennae be- 

 ing knobbed at the tip, like those of the butterfly, the knob 

 usually terminating in two bristles. These insects jump 

 as briskly as a flea, from which characteristic they derive 

 their scientific name. The particular species in question 

 was called by Prof. Eiley the Bramble Flea-louse {Psyl- 

 la ruUy in the "American Entomologist. " It has increas- 

 ed very rapidly during the past half dozen years or more, 

 and unless fruit-growers make a more vigorous fight 

 than they yet have done, it will soon get the mastery of 

 most Blackberry plantations. The only practical method 

 as yet discovered for checking the ravages of this insect, 

 is, to cut off the ends of the infested canes and burn 

 them. This operation should always be performed 

 either in the morning, or during cool wet weather, 

 else many of the insects will escape, and at all times the 

 severed shoots should be immediately dropped into bags 

 and in them carried to the place where they are to be 

 burned, and there emptied into the fire. If all having 

 Blackberry bushes in their gardens would practice this 

 method of destruction, this pest would soon cease to do 

 much harm. 



