Sept. 1806.] 



INJURIOUS INSECTS AND FUNGI. 



157 



When tomatoes are seen to be spotted at the style by this 

 fungus they should be removed at once from the plants and 

 destroyed or buried. 



It has been remarked that tomato plants manured heavily 

 with horse, pig, and cattle manure, not well composted, are 

 especially liable to this disease. Also that some varieties are 

 more free from it than others, notably those of a pointed shape, 

 but there is hardly sufficient evidence at present on this head 

 to warrant any decided conclusions. 



Spraying with sulphate of copper has been proved useful in 

 this disorder, the dressing being in the form of a Bordeaux 

 mixture made of 5 to 6 lbs. of sulphate of copper and 6 to 8 lbs. 

 of lime to 100 gallons of water, sprayed over the plants gently 

 and evenly, not washed on with a common syringe. Or a simple 

 solution of from i to £ of a pound of sulphate of copper to 500 

 gallons of water has been found effectual in America in the case 

 of a similar affection. This was put on twice in a few days with 

 a nozzle which distributed a very fine spray, so that every part 

 of the plant and its fruit was covered. 



In cases where there are signs of infection or where infection 

 is feared from this fungus it would be desirable to spray the 

 plants early with the simple sulphate of copper solution, which 

 is so weak that it could not injure the foliage or the young fruits, 

 and when the disease appears upon them the Bordeaux mixture 

 should be used very carefully and in a fine spray. 



The Onion Fly (Phorbia cepetorum, Meade). 



a and b, Larva, natural size and magnified ; c and d, Pupa, natural size and magni- 

 fied ; e, Fly magnified ; lines showing wing expanse and length of body. 



The onion fly causes serious injuries to the onion crop in some 

 seasons, and it appears to be on the increase in this country. It 

 is also a source of great trouble to the onion growers in the United 

 States, and in Continental countries. In English market gardens, 

 and market garden farms where onions are extensively culti- 

 vated, large percentages of the plants are frequently quite spoiled 



