470 WISCONSIN FRUIT-GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION. 
and wash remainder of tree with lye (better than soap), any 
time after coldest weather is over until middle of April. First 
to tenth of June, throw slacked lime upon the top, every two 
or three days, while dew is on ; hatch about this time, and are 
actively moving about. 
Plumb—My first remedy is stimulation to new growth by 
proper fertilizers ; second, to apply a wash or varnish of tar 
and oil, warm ; third, to shorten back whole top, and varnish. 
Gas tar kills the leaves of trees, but not the tree ; would apply 
lye-wash also. Am not discouraged by lice ; they have been 
a pest in New England for sixty years, but have not stopped 
the growing of fruit. 
Hanford—Believe they are natural to the apple-tree ; are the 
legitimate results of wet soils, neglected culture, severe win¬ 
ters, over-bearing, &c. 
Starin—If in very bad condition, would cut trees down ; if 
not, wash with mixture of one-third soft soap, two-thirds water, 
with one pound of sulphur added to each pailful. Believe 
lice will attack healthy trees. Have had them in my orchard 
for a long time, but effects more marked since 1855 and 1856. 
Do not recommend an indiscriminate destruction of all trees 
infested by them ; think we can do better. 
Hanford —Every plant, tree and animal has its parasite, which 
lives and thrives upon its substance. When from disease or any 
other cause, checked in growth, the parasite takes possession 
and increases to an injurious extent. The Bark Louse is indi¬ 
genous to the apple tree, is no new thing, its existence dating 
with the tree itself; is often found on apparently healthy trees, 
yet not in great numbers, and on such do not think it will gain 
the ascendency. It thrives on sickly trees, as do vermin upon 
the poor and diseased ox or calf. I asked a farmer of good 
judgment and large experience, what he would do for an animal 
in this condition. He replied, “ give an extra ear or two of 
corn.” In other words, feed and flesh up the animal, and the 
lice will disappear. So with lousy apple trees. Winter prune, 
wash with soft soap, weak lye or ashes; or, better, with Sal Soda, 
