934 JOURNAL OF THE EOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



" Not only are moss and lichens and the insects referred to above 

 destroyed or stopped from excessive increase by this wash, but it acts also 

 in another way by attacking the eggs of certain species. The extent of 

 its action on the eggs has not, however, been fully determined. Groups 

 of the eggs of the apple suckers {Psylla mali) treated with it were all 

 killed, as also were those of the red spider on fruit — a species of Bryohia 

 — and those uf certain aphides. Spraying the wash over eggs recently 

 laid had little effect on them, but, when the embryos were nearly mature, 

 the majority of those of the insects mentioned above were destroyed. 



" At present, therefore, the wash is mainly recommended for cleaning 

 the trees in an orchard and thus destroymg the shelter of various insects 

 during the winter, and for killing certain hibernating pests themselves, as 

 the codlin maggot, woolly aphis, and others. It certainly has no effect 

 in the open on the ova of the winter moth, lackey moth, and those of 

 certain plant lice. 



" To prepare caustic alkali wash, first dissolve 1 lb. of commercial 

 caustic soda in water, then 1 lb. of crude potash in water. When both 

 have been dissolved mix the two well together, then add \ lb. of 

 agricultural treacle, stir well, and add sufficient water to make up to ten 

 gallons. 



" The best time to spray the trees is about the middle of February, as 

 some insects and mite eggs are then more liable to be affected than earlier 

 in the winter, and it is then not too late to harm any developing buds. 



" The wash has a burning effect on the hands ; care must therefore be 

 taken in employing it. Rubber gloves have been used by some people, 

 but these, unless close fitting," allow the wash to run under the rubber, 

 and more harm is done than usual. With ordinary care the sprayers 

 need suffer little inconvenience. 



" Every old or young orchard where moss and lichen and woolly 

 aphis have a firm hold should undergo this treatment, which has a most 

 beneficial effect, not only in clearing the trees of moss and rough bark, but 

 indirectly in lessening insect attack." — R. N. 



Fruits from Jamaica {Jour. Imp. Dep. Agr. W.I. vol. ii. No. 4, 

 p. 263). — An interesting account of the trade (chiefly in Bananas) between 

 Jamaica and both the United States and England. It also advises the 

 growth of Oranges, Pineapples, and Mangos, and holds out a brilliant 

 prospect of the future of the trade. — W. W. 



Fumig-ator for Small Orchard Trees (U.S.A. Dept. Agr. Bull. 



133 ; Exp. Stn. Work, xviii. 1901 ; illustrated).— V. H. Lowe, of the 

 New York State Station, has recently described a fumigator, designed for 

 use with hydrocyanic gas against San Jose and other scale insects, the 

 large tent or box covering for trees hitherto employed requiring too much 

 labour and expense in manipulation. It consists of a light frame with 

 three sides, the fourth being movable (to avoid lifting over trees), and a top^ 

 the whole covered outside with gas-tight material. 



The cost varies from ^13 to ^18, and it can be carried and manipulated 

 by two men. 



Its chief advantages are : that its cubic contents are easily and 



