4:4)0 . INJURIOUS INSECTS AND FUNGI. [March 1896.. 



Washes for Fruit Trees. 



Washes composed of arsenites are gradually being adopted' 

 against insect attacks, but there is still much prejudice against 

 them, and this is increased by the carelessness shown in mixing 

 and applying them. Some instances have been reported to the 

 Board of the foliage of fruit trees having been burnt by solutions 

 not sufficiently diluted, and by irregular and fitful application of 

 the liquid mixtures. In one case, the leaves of apple trees were 

 made quite rusty coloured by a too strong solution of Paris- 

 green. 



It is confessed that it is difficult to frame a hard-and-fast rule 

 for the application of Paris-green, as so much depends upon 

 the kind of leaves and their age, as well as upon the state of 

 the weather. The quantity of Paris-green should not exceed 

 1 lb. to 275 gallons of water in any circumstances. A safe 

 solution is 5 ozs. of Paris-green to 100 gallons of water.. 

 But all Paris-green solutions must be evenly and carefully 

 mixed and distributed, and must also be constantly stirred, so^ 

 that the liquid is kept of uniform strength. Paris-green can be 

 obtained in the form of paste, and is better in this than in 

 powdery form, in which it can be blown about by the wind. 



Emulsion made with paraffin or kerosene oil and soft soap is a 

 valuable wash for the Bryohias, wrongly termed " red spiders," 

 which infest gooseberry, damson, plums, and other fruit trees ; 

 also for the real red spiders and other sucking insects. 



The formula for the emulsion is 6 pints of paraffin, or kero- 

 sine oil, 4 pints of water, and three and a quarter pounds of soft 

 soap. These must be thoroughly well mixed together, literally 

 churned for some minutes, and then diluted with 25 gallons of 

 water. The paraffin and soap should be mixed at first with very 

 hot water, and then distributed in a very fine spray. 



The horse-distributing machines have been found very useful 

 for spreading insectifuges and insecticides in small quantities 

 in liquid or powder form. Knapsack machines have also been 

 largely employed with much advantage on fruit land, small 

 holdings, and gardens. 



It is most important that fruit trees should be kept free from 

 mosses and lichens, which seriously hinder transpiration and 

 respiration, and serve as hiding places and refuges for insects, 

 and for the deposition of their eggs. In clearing away these 

 growths, the caustic soda and potash solution, used extensively 

 in America, has been found very efiective. This is com- 

 posed of 5 lbs. of caustic soda, 5 lbs. of commercial potash to 

 50 gallons of water. It should be heated to 120 degrees Fahr. 

 and syringed all over the trees in the autumn or winter. Sul- 

 phate of iron at the rate of 1 lb. to 1 gallon of water put 



