43 
California Remedies for the Woolly Aphis. — Mr. W. G. Klee 
writes in Bulletin No. 55 of the Agricultural Experiment Station of the 
University of California about the widespread disease of the apple tree 
produced by the Woolly Aphis ( Schizoneura lanigera) and its repression. 
He describes the insect and the astonishing rapiditj' of its increase in 
the dry climate of California. After trying the various remedies sug 
gested for its extermination upon the twigs, such as rubbiug kerosene 
on the infested spots, or washing them with lye (three-quarter pounds 
to the gallon), or with a solution of whale-oil soap, or sulpho-carbonate 
of potassium, he found them only of use in arresting the disease. If, 
however, the roots are once thoroughly infested, all the remedies usu- 
ally recommended proved insufficient or impracticable. Gas lime was 
found very efficacious, as well as inexpensive. It has to be used with 
care, and the dose must be regulated according to the character of the 
soil and subsoil and the age of the trees. In a porous and deep soil there 
is less danger than in a clayey one, where the water charged with the 
antidote permeates the soil very slowly, and has time to corrode the 
bark. It is always safe to use only a small dose first — from one shovel- 
ful on a small tree to four on a very large one, spread over the surface, 
according to the spread of the roots ; the rain will wash it into the soil. 
Eresh ashes should be piled close about the trunk to prevent the aphis 
from descending to the roots. He found that lady-bugs would consume 
most of the Aphids adhering to the twigs, and to protect these benefi- 
cial insects it is wise to have conifers growing in the vicinity of the or- 
chards to provide hibernating quarters for them. Two to three spray- 
ings of the trees are also recommended ; the first application with hot 
water of 140° F., the second with tobacco water and whale-oil soap in 
the following proportions: Iu a decoction of tobacco (1 gallon water to 
one-half pound tobacco) put half a pound of whale-oil soap. This mix- 
ture ought to be applied at about 130° F., and should be followed in 
about a week by another application. 
Seedlings of the Golden Russet and Rawle’s Janet are exempt, pos- 
sessing tough and wiry roots. 
The Hessian Fly in California. — A number of notices have oc- 
curred in the California newspapers during the seasou, relative to the 
appearance of the Hessian Fly on the Pacific Coast. Anxious to learn 
the truth of these reports, we wrote for confirmation to Mr. Matthew 
Cooke, of Sacramento, who answered under date of May 29 that he had 
traveled extensively through the infested section of the State and had 
seen unmistakable proofs of the presence of the fly. He defines the 
region as follows : 
u Take a map of California; find Vallejo, in Solano County (opposite 
Mare Island Navy-yard), and draw a line to Benicia (8 miles). From 
Benicia continue the line to Suisun, and then in a north or northwest 
direction draw a line that will fall north of Napa City, in Napa County ; 
thence back to Vallejo. This will be a line of nearly 60 miles, and the 
