64 



SPRAYING CROPS 



arsenical poisons. Spray first as soon as the blossoms 

 have all fallen, and again about ten .days later. In 

 localities where the curculios are very injurious, one or 

 two more sprayings may often be made to advantage 

 at intervals of two weeks, especially on late varieties. 

 It will pay to add lime to the spraying solution (see 

 page lo), unless the arsenite is combined with Bor- 

 deaux mixture, which has the same saving effect. The 

 addition of lime is not necessary, how^ever, if arsenate 

 of lead is used. 



The poison is supposed to take effect in the case 

 of the codling moth by destroying the young 

 larvae just after hatching and probably while attempt- 

 ing to nibble through the skin ; while with the 

 curculios it takes eff'ect upon the parent beetles, thus 

 preventing the deposition of eggs. 



INSECT ENEMIES OF THE FOLIAGE 



A large variety of insects feed upon apple foliage. 

 ]\Iany of them are caterpillars of moths, and are easily 

 destroyed by spraying. Among the m.ost injurious of 

 these are the Canker Worms, of which we have two 

 distinct species — the Fall Canker \\'orm and the 

 Spring Canker Worm. The different stages of the 

 former pest are illustrated on page 5, where a resume 

 of its life-history will be found. When an orchard is 

 infested by canker-worms it is very desirable to spray 

 once before the blossoms open. The insects begin 

 hatching early in the season ; if trees are not sprayed 

 until after the blossoms fall considerable damage will 

 be done before the worms are killed. One spraying 

 just before the blossom buds open will be of much 

 service. Another should be given as soon as the blos- 

 soms fall; and if the canker-worm.s are very numerous 

 a third — a week or ten days after the second — will 

 be desirable. 



