NOTES AND ABSTKACTS. 



125 



10 plates). — Five species of mites have been recognised on apple and pear 

 leaves in America, Eriophyes malifoliae, Parr (sp. no v.), E. pyri, Nal., 

 E. pyri, var. variolata, Nal., Phyllocoptes schlechtendali, Nal., and 

 Epitrimerus pyri, Nal. With the exception of the first, all of these are 

 known in Europe. The leaf blister-mite (Eriophyes pyri) is the most 

 abundant, and is responsible for damage to the leaves of apples as well as 

 pears. It is a " small, vermiform, four-legged animal, about r ^ 5 inch in 

 length. . . . It hibernates in the buds, and with the maturing of the bud- 

 scales seeks the tender leaves, which it punctures, producing light green 

 and reddish pimples. These develop into galls or blisters of a blackish or 

 reddish-brown colour, depending on the kind and the variety of fruit." The 

 service berry, cotoneaster, white beam, and mountain ash, are all attacked 

 by the mite. The perpetuation of the mite in nurseries is due to propa- 

 gation with infected buds, and it is believed that the pest can be eliminated 

 from the nursery by the selection of buds from clean stock and by the 

 fumigation of the stocks. The mite may be kept under on pear trees by 

 careful pruning and by spraying during the late, full, or early spring, 

 with paraffin emulsion, miscible oils, or sulphur washes. It appears 

 much easier to keep the mite under on pear than on apple trees. The 

 bulletin gives a useful account of the group to which these mites belong 

 and a full description of the species mentioned above. — F. J. C. 



Apple Bitter Rot (U.S.A. Dep. Agr,, Farm. Bull. 267 ; 1906).— This 

 trouble, which is due to the fungus now known as Glomerella rufoma- 

 culans, is estimated to have caused the loss of about $10,000,000 in 1900. 

 Varieties differ much in susceptibility, " Yellow Newtown " or " Albemarle " 

 being very susceptible. The fungus is very dependent on high tempera- 

 ture and moisture for its development, and the outbreak may be checked 

 if the temperature falls to or remains at about 70° F. for a few days. 

 The application of Bordeaux mixture of the strength, 5 lb. copper sul- 

 phate, 5 lb. lime, 50 gallons water, five or six weeks after the trees bloom, 

 followed by three more at intervals of two weeks, has proved an effective 

 check upon the spread of the disease. — F. J. C. 



Apples in Oregon. By E. B. Lake (U.S.A. Exp. Stn. Oregon, Bull. 

 82 ; 1904 ; 29 figs.). — An excellent account of apple-growing, with much 

 sound general advice and many hints of local importance. — F. J. C. 



Apple-leaf Miner. By C. D. Jarvis (U.S.A. Exp. Stn. Stores, 

 Conn., Bull. 45 ; December 1906 ; 17 figs.). — The insect described has been 

 known for a considerable time, but has not until last year become a 

 serious pest. It is known throughout the eastern part of the States and 

 in Canada, and injures the tree by mining beneath the epidermis of the 

 leaf. When many mines occur on the leaf it rolls up, and its functions 

 cease. Two broods occur in the year. The pest is usually kept in check 

 by parasites and by unfavourable weather conditions. It is recommended 

 to plough the fallen leaves in, as a means of destroying the pest, which 

 pupates within the tunnel it has made in the leaf. The insect (Tisclieria 

 malifoliella Clemens) is one of the Tineideae, and affects not only the apple, 

 but the hawthorns, Pyrus coronaria, Bubus villosus, and B. occidental is. 



