October, 1910 
WISCONSIN HORTICULTURE 
27 
A Weevil in Orchids 
Early this spring, Prof. J. G. 
Sanders, while making an in- 
spection of imported nursery 
stock at one of the larger green- 
houses in Milwaukee, had called 
to his attention an insect winch 
was causing a very great loss 
among the Cattleya Orchids. 
The larva which did the damage 
is large, reaching a length o f half 
an inch and is a fat, fleshy grub. 
It develops in the stem of the 
plant, pupates and finally emerg- 
es as an attractively marked 
black and white weevil. The 
result is a complete destruction 
of the leaf-stem with a conse- 
quent failure to blossom. 
The foreman of the greenhouse 
did not realize the relation be- 
tween the weevils and the larva 
at the time and was very much 
surprized to learn that these 
attractive “bugs” were the cause 
of his loss. Prof. Sanders, not 
recognizing the insect, sent sev- 
eral samples to the entomological 
division of the United States Na- 
tional Museum for determina- 
tion. Those who specialize on 
this group in Washington, in 
turn sent a sample to a specialist 
in England and he also failed to 
recognize the species. It is con- 
sequently being described as 
new in an entomological journal 
at Washington, D. C. 
This insect is rapidly being 
reduced in numbers by the assid- 
uous work of the foreman of the 
greenhouse and no Cattleyas are 
being sent out from the place at 
the present time. 
It is hoped that this sporadic 
infestation may be entirely erad- 
icated within the next few 
months. The orchids on which 
the weevil entered came from 
South America and it is certain, 
therefore, that the weevil is a 
tropical species. 
S. B. Fracker, 
Acting State Entomologist. 
Autumn Wild Flowers 
Of these the Rudbeckias, 
black-eyed Susan or cone flower 
family, golden rod and asters 
are most widely distributed in 
our state. All of these stand 
transplanting well and all im- 
prove in size of flower and depth 
of coloring under cultivation. 
While it is not well to rob the 
woods and roadsides of native 
flowers quite often small clumps 
may be spared from meadows 
and pastures and will add grace 
and beauty to the flower border. 
Now is the time to get them, 
when in bloom, for you will need 
be expert indeed to select some 
of them in spring. 
A word to our city friends: 
We country people will gladly 
grant you the privilege of digging 
a few wild flowers from the back 
lot if you ask permission, but we 
don’t like you to climb fences 
and tear across fields as if we 
were not to be considered even 
if you are only digging “weeds.” 
Kindly come to us and we will 
meet you more than half way. 
Gladioli are easily kept over 
winter in the vegetable cellar. 
After the first frost cut them off 
a few inches from the ground, 
dig, and place in a convenient 
place where they will not get 
wet. When dry, store in the 
vegetable cellar. 
The Kickapoo Valley 
Wisconsin’s 
Favored Fruit District 
Our Specialty : Planting and developing 
orchards for non-residents. 
A few choice tracts for sale. If inter- 
ested, write us. 
The Kickapoo Development Co. 
Gays Mills, Wis. 
JEWELL 
MINNESOTA 
GROWN 
Nursery Stock 
Complete assortment of 
Fruit and Ornamental 
stock in all varieties suited 
to northern culture. A 
specialty of Hardy Shade 
Trees, Windbreak Stock, 
Evergreens (Coniferous), 
Deciduous Shrubs, Apples 
and Native Plums. 
AGENTS WANTED 
The Jewell Nursery Co. 
Lake City Minnesota 
Quality Stock 
Strawberries 
Native Plum Apple Small Fruits 
WISCONSIN GROWN 
for Wisconsin Planters. Read cur 
Price List before you buy, and 
save money 
62nd Year 
Kellogg’s Nurseries 
Box 77, Janesville, Wis. 
«We have a Fine Lot of 
Plants for the Garden” 
SEND FOR LIST 
J. E. MATHEWSON 
\ SHEBOYGAN, WISCONSIN 
