Insects in the Garden 31 1 
they attack by eating the epidermis. The whole leaf 
then dies and falls off. When the larvae are full grown 
they drop to the ground, make their way into it for a 
short distance, and spin black cocoons in which to pass 
the pupa state. They are difficult to eradicate, as they 
appear on the trees at a time when it is more or less 
dangerous to spray with poisonous substances. 
Red Spider. — This, by the way, is not a spider at 
all, but a mite, and is known to all who grow vines. 
It has probably got its name from the habit it has of 
spinning a slender web, under which it shelters. It feeds 
by sucking the nourishment from the tissues of the leaves. 
It infests many other plants and trees besides the Vine, 
such as the Peach, Cherry, Strawberry, Violet, &c. It 
generally makes its appearance if the trees receive a 
check of any kind from draughts, or by getting dry at 
the roots. These things should therefore be carefully 
avoided. If the slightest trace of this pest is seen, syrim 
ging should be resorted to at once and continued regularly 
so long as it is safe to do so without injury to the fruit, 
using pure water only. This must be put on with con- 
siderable force, especially on the under parts of the leaves. 
The liquid will then penetrate the web and check the 
increase of the spider, while it will always keep the foliage 
fresh and healthy. Trees in the open are liable to attack, 
especially in a dry season. These should be kept well 
watered and even mulched. Occasional syringing will 
also be beneficial, this being done in the early morning 
and late afternoon. If the trees become badly infested, 
some other remedy will have to employed, such as dusting 
the leaves with flowers of sulphur, or a solution may be 
