164 



JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 



[Vol. 8 



pendence on the beneficial parasitic fungi. The appearance of the fruit 

 on the marl^et would be vastlj^ improved. The total dependence of the 

 Florida citrus grower on natural enemies for the control of the pests on 

 citrus trees is a delusion. 

 Pebruarjr 2, 1915. 



President H. T. Fernald: The next paper on the program will 

 be read by P. J, Parrott. 



AN ANALYSIS OF SPRAYING METHODS AGAINST THE 

 CODLING MOTH 



By P. J. Parrott 



One who has at heart the permanent prosperity, extension and 

 normal development of fruit-growing in New York can hardly fail 

 to be impressed with two facts: (1) The increased planting of apple 

 trees, so that the care of orchards frequently over-shadows all other 

 farm operations, resulting in an unbalanced state of farming; and 

 (2) the growing necessity of more frequent and thorough applications of 

 spraying mixtures. In addition to scab, scale and codling moth, 

 it is now the lot of many orchardists to have to contend against fruit- 

 puncturing capsids and leaf and fruit-infesting aphides; and spraying 

 for these has become a regular part of the routine prescribed by the 

 latest and most approved spraying schedule. The cost for spray 

 materials is also increasing. Formerly lime-sulphur and arsenate 

 of lead sufficed for the principal ills that the apple is heir to, but now 

 the grower must needs use lime-sulphur and lead, plus other sub- 

 stances; and according to present usage nicotine is the most popular 

 third constituent in the combination of spraying materials. 



Individually and collectively the growers of New York are con- 

 fronted with what may prove to be a great economic problem. In 

 addition to the necessity of maintaining a high state of culture at 

 increasing expense, they are apparently facing a period of diminishing 

 returns. As a result more serious thought than ever before is being 

 given to a study of methods of producing maximum yields of high- 

 grade fruit at minimum cost. A partial solution of the dilemma is 

 to improve spraying practices, at least as to the character, if not 

 number, of the treatments. In spite of present methods, injurious 

 insects are responsible for great reductions in financial returns. More- 

 over, in addition to direct losses, failure to maintain a high level of 

 spraying practices may have the effect of neutralizing, if not actually 

 destroying any benefit by other standard operations, as pruning, 

 thinning, cultivation, etc., so essential today for the upkeep and 



