44 
Glen St. Mary Nurseries. 
Insects, Diseases and Remedies. 
Nearly all kinds of trees have their insect enemies, and although, as a general thing, a tree that is well 
fed and properly cultivated will come off victorious over all these insect enemies, still, if they become trouble¬ 
some, it is not best to entirely ignore their depredations. 
Peach Borer. This is a small white borer or grub, which hatches on the bark of the tree just at the 
surface of the ground and punctures the bark, eating the inner bark and sap-wood. If the earth is pulled up 
around the trees in March to the height of one foot, and allowed to remain so until November and then 
leveled off again, the moth that lays the eggs will have to deposit them so high on the trunk of the tree that 
the bark will be too hard for the young borer to puncture. Repeat this process (hilling up in March and 
leveling off in November) each year, and but little trouble will be experienced from borers. This is both 
simple and effective. Stiff wrapping paper tied around the trunk of the tree is said to answer the same purpose. 
Root-Knot (Anguillulla). Has been somewhat troublesome of late years, particularly on peach trees. 
I he small roots of the trees on which this microscopic insect has worked possess a peculiarly knotty appear¬ 
ance, resembling a string of beads. There is no known remedy for this insect, except to give the tree liberal 
fertilizing and thorough cultivation. Trees which have had liberal treatment in this respect, and are in good 
condition, are seldom seriously affected by its attacks; and trees not too badly affected will outgrow it if 
properly fertilized and cultivated. This insect appears to be very fond of the roots of cow peas, and land 
that has been recently planted in these peas is liable to be infested with root-knot. Do not plant cow peas 
among peach trees. It is not a permanent pest, as it usually disappears the second or third year after it first 
makes its appearance. 
Plum Curculio. This is a small, dark brown beetle that punctures the fruit of plums (and sometimes 
apricots and nectarines) soon after the blossoms fall and the fruit is fairly set. The beetle lays its eggs in 
the puncture, and after a short time this egg hatches into a grub which destroys the fruit. One method of 
treatment is to spread a sheet under the tree and jar off the curculio by hitting the tree a quick, sharp blow 
with a wooden mallet; this should be done early in the morning (before sunrise if possible), and followed up 
every few days for a month or more, commencing as soon as the blossoms have fallen. Burn all the inserts 
and stung fruit thus collected, and little or no damage will result from the curculio. Another effectual 
method of treatment is to spray the tree, soon after the blossoms fall, with a solution made by dissolving 
one pound of Paris green or London purple in 200 gallons of water. 
Pear-Blight. For best method of treatment, see “Pears,” under “Deciduous and Miscellaneous 
Fruits.” 
Enemies of the Grape. A spray of kerosene emulsion or the London purple or Paris green mixtures 
referred to above will destroy the leaf-folder. For mildew, dust with flowers-of-sulphur or spray with 
Bordeaux mixture. For black rot, spray with Bordeaux mixture. 
Orange Insects. There are several kinds of scale insects which prey upon orange and other citrus 
trees. A spray of kerosene emulsion is very effective in destroying them. More recently the rosin wash, 
for which the recipe appears below, has been quite extensively used as a spray for scale insects, and has 
proved even more effective than kerosene emulsion. The mites which cause the fruit to rust are easily 
destroyed by repeated sprayings of sulphur solution washes (see recipe below); the latter will also destroy 
the so-called “red spider.” 
Recipes. 
Bordeaux Mixture. Dissolve 1 lb. of sulphate of copper in 1 gal. of hot water; in another vessel slake 
1 lb. of rock lime in 1 ^ gals, of cold water ; when cool, pour in the copper solution and strain. Add 2 gals, 
of water before using. 
Kerosene Emulsion. Dissolve 1 lb. of whale oil soap in 1 gal. of boiling water and add, while hot, 
2 gals, of kerosene ; churn violently with a spray pump or garden syringe until the mass becomes of the 
consistency of thick cream. Add 30 gals, of water before using as a spray. 
Rosin Wash. Place 20 lbs. of rosin, 4 2 - lbs. caustic soda (98 per cent.) and 3 pts. fish oil in a large 
kettle, and pour over them 15 gals, of water. Boil until the rosin is thoroughly dissolved. Pour into spray 
tank and dilute by adding 135 gals, of water. Apply in a rather coarse spray. 
Sulphur Solution. Mix 30 lbs. of pulverized sulphur with 12 qts. of water. Stir well and add 20 lbs. 
of 98 per cent, caustic soda (or 33 lbs. of 60 per cent.) and mix. A reaction takes place, the mixture becoming 
hot, turning brown and finally becoming liquid ; this liquid should be diluted to 20 gals, and barreled for 
use. For application, still further dilute, using from 1 to 2 qts. to 50 gals, of water. 
